Leonard Schrader

On March 22, 2015 Leonard "Tootie" Schrader, 93, quietly passed away in the comfort of his home. He was born to Edward and Margaret Schrader on October 12, 1921 in Lafayette, IN. He was the youngest of seven children. His father was an immigrant from Holland and raised his family with a very strict Catholic structure. Tootie was quite shy as a child until he discovered sports. In high school he was a member of the Lafayette Jeff basketball team that went to the semi-state in the 1940's. His passion was baseball. He was awarded a scholarship to Central North College in Danville, IN. During that time he was scouted and offered a pitching position for the Cleveland Indians. Instead, he was drafted into the army and served as Military Police in England during World War II. After the war he returned to Lafayette and married M. Imogene Schrader on Oct. 1, 1949. He continued to play baseball for a local semi-pro league in Crawfordsville. Leonard learned to be a glass blower, worked in Crawfordsville for a short stent and finally settled in Indianapolis. He retired from Staley Sign Co. after 20+ years of service and was a member of IBEW Local 481. He was an active member of several Catholic churches in his life time, the last being St. Michael's Catholic Church. He went to church daily and was a Eucharistic Minister, helped with grounds keeping, soup kitchens, fish fries, new parishioner sign up, perpetual adoration and St Vincent de Paul. He and Imogene raised five children in the Catholic faith, sent them all to Catholic grade schools and high schools. He loved to garden and was a jack of all trades when it came to woodworking, remodeling, and electrical work. He was preceded in death by his wife, Imogene "Jene" Schrader. Leonard is survived by his five children, Linda Griffis, Sandra Barner, Michael Schrader, Anna Snyder and Paul Schrader; eleven grandchildren, Christopher Griffis, Laura Griffis, Melissa Ezell, Brian Barner, Lisa Barner, Lauren Schrader, Luke Schrader, Brandon Snyder, Corina Snyder, Mitchell Schrader and Lindsey Schrader; four great grandchildren, Cody Griffis, Riley Griffis, Brianna Ezell and Bryce Ezell. Visitation will be held on Thursday, March 26 from 4 pm - 7:30 pm with a rosary at 7:30 pm in Stevens Mortuary, 5520 W. 10th St., Indpls. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, March 27 at 10:30 am in St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church, 3354 W. 30th St., Indpls. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Michael Catholic Church, 6654 W. 30th St., Indianapolis, IN 46222.