In Loving Memory of Roger Edward Schmechel 1936 - 2025
Roger Edward Schmechel passed away peacefully on August 15, 2025, surrounded by family, at the age of 89 after a terminal battle with blood cancer. Roger was the loving, fun and always present uncle of Laura Vandeloo (Doug), Karen Grasso (Mark), Susan Freiberg (Kris) and figural grandfather of Jonathan Norton and Jessica Norton. He is further survived by three great-nephews, Matthew Grasso, Tyler Freiberg and Kenneth Freiberg, in addition to his beloved cat, Lucy Loo. He was preceded in death by his mother, Flora Werner, his father, Edward Schmechel and his brother, Thomas Schmechel.
Although Roger was born with many physical disabilities, he refused to let that stop him from living a full and independent life. He refused to live on anyone else's terms or be told he could not accomplish anything he set out to do. He was born in Milwaukee in June of 1936. As a young man, he worked at a bank and shortly thereafter realized he wanted to be in business for himself and started his own janitorial service, "Star Bright Cleaning Service." He enjoyed working and conversing with his customers until his cancer diagnosis in January of 2025, many of whom were 20+ year customers. He always said, keeping busy and having a purpose is what kept him going. One of his favorite lines while on the job was, "There is a right way, a wrong way and a 'Star Bright' way." He believed in that saying for his own endeavors as well. Roger studied hard and received his pilot's license in the 1970s, taking great pride in flying family and friends on various flights.
Roger had a great love for all things outdoors, whether it be driving, fishing, hunting, hiking and whatever else got him up in the early hour and kept him outside for much of the day. He loved the calmness and natural beauty of the Wisconsin State and County Parks during his free time. He also had a great love for dogs, owning many throughout his lifetime. Two of his favorites were "Trucker" and "Angel."
Those who surrounded Roger knew him to have an endearing, witty and sometimes sarcastic sense of humor. He had faith in the Lord throughout his lifetime and knew upon leaving this world he was going to be with the Lord and at peace. In life, he was very family oriented, fun-filled, independent, kind and helpful, leaving behind a legacy of great stories and memories. He was always willing to lend a hand to help and would never accept anything in return. He was always present in life and will always be in present our hearts. He will be deeply missed by those who knew and loved him.
Special thanks go out to Dr. Karen-Sue Carlson and the amazing staff at the Froedtert Moorland Reserve Cancer Center, who took incredible care of Roger throughout his final year with us. They truly do the work of angels every day.
Services will be private, but please consider memorial donations to Froedtert Moorland Reserve Cancer Center or the Wisconsin Humane Society in Roger's honor.
God saw you getting tired and a cure was not to be, so he put his arms around you and whispered, “Come to Me.” With tearful eyes we watched you suffer and slowly fade away. Although we loved you dearly, we could not make you stay. A golden heart stopped beating, hardworking hands put to rest. God broke our hearts to prove to us, he only takes the best.
