Obituary

The Rev. Dr. Richard Andrew Schramm, Marion
May 22, 1944 - Sept. 19, 2005

The Rev. Dr. Richard Andrew Schramm, 61, died at 12:54 a.m. Monday in his home.

He was born in Madison, Wis., to the late Richard Schramm and Iris (Sullivan) Schramm and was a resident of Marion for 17 years. He married Ellen Kramer on July 5, 1980. She survives.

He was a graduate of Deer Park High School, where he was a member of the Boys' Honor Society, band, choir and track team, breaking two state records in the mile and two-mile run. He was a graduate of Miami of Ohio University, where he set the American Freshman record for the two-mile run. He also participated in cross-country. He received his doctorate of ministry from Louisville Seminary and recently celebrated the 35th anniversary of his ordination as a Minister of the Word and Sacrament.

He was the pastor and most loyal choir member of Westminster Presbyterian Church. He formerly pastored the First Presbyterian Church, Morristown, Tenn., First Presbyterian Church, Jefferson City, Tenn., and West Asheville Presbyterian, Asheville, N.C.

He was a member of the Whitewater Valley Presbytery, where he served on the Committee on Preparation for Ministry, and was a consultant for Congregational Development. He took six mission trips to Honduras. His community involvements included PAL Club baseball coach, CASA volunteer, past president and board member of Family Service Society, St. Martin's board member, member of the Ministerial Association and Marion Noon Rotary Club. He was a former Cub Scout and Boy Scout. He was an organ donor. He was an avid cyclist and loved hiking and backpacking.

Survivors include wife, Ellen; mother, Iris Schramm, Marion; son, John Andrew Schramm, Gastonia, N.C.; daughters, Sarah Hale Schramm, Asheville, N.C., Jennifer Queen (Donny) Russell, Jefferson City, Tenn., Elizabeth Abigail Schramm and Emily Anna Schramm, both of Marion; grandchildren, Grace Laurel Schramm, Lezley Ray Contreras and Caroline Ellen Russell (due in December); sister, Barbara Jane Berling, Madison, Wis.; brother, Martin W. (Beth) Schramm, Occonomowoc, Wis.; several nieces and nephews; and mother-in-law, Pauline W. Kramer, Fredericksburg, Va.

He also was preceded in death by his father, Richard Schramm; brother, William H. Schramm; and father-in-law, James Joseph Kramer.

Services are at 6 p.m. today in Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1100 Jeffras Ave., with Pastors David Schramm, Laurie Wolcott, Marv Wiseman and John Davis officiating.

Visitation was Wednesday at the church. Online condolences may be made at www.nswcares.com .

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Westminster Preschool, or the Westminster Presbyterian Choir, 1100 Jeffras Ave., Marion, Ind. 46952.

Needham-Storey-Wampner Funeral Service, North Chapel, 1341 N. Baldwin Ave., handled arrangements.