85-year-old Arlene Russ Schael of Corinth, Texas, passed away on Sunday, April 12 in Denton, Texas. She was born April 4, 1935 to Joe and Lillie Russ in the family farmhouse in McLeansboro, Illinois. The doctor didn’t arrive in time so her older sisters, Martha and Hazel, delivered her. Arlene graduated from McLeansboro High School in 1953 and married Gene Barnett on September 4, 1953 at Pleasant Grove Methodist Church in McLeansboro. Together they raised four children. On May 5, 1991, Arlene married Henry Schael in Homewood, Illinois. When Henry fell ill, Arlene cared for him in their home for three years until he passed on April 16, 2000.
When her children were young, Arlene served as a room mother, scout leader and a volunteer at swim meets. Legally blind her entire adult life, after her children were all in school, Arlene took courses in medical transcription, finishing at the top of her class. She went to work in 1974 and worked in that field until her retirement in 1998. She was employed by St. Francis Hospital in Blue Island, Illinois and Ingalls Memorial Hospital in Harvey, Illinois. The quality of her work was so high that many doctors insisted that Arlene was the only one who could transcribe their reports. She never let low vision deter her efforts. Following Henry’s death, Arlene received a guide dog through Guide Dogs for the Blind, who she credited with restoring her independence. She once told her daughter that having Kathy made her feel like she was “flying across the streets”.
Arlene was a member of the Methodist Church where she was actively involved in the Methodist Women’s group. She regularly attended Denton Bible Church after moving to Texas in 2015.
Survivors include her children David (Nikki) Barnett, Corinth, Texas; Roger Barnett, Broughton, Illinois; Marsha (Tim) Orwig, Plainfield, Illinois; and Tonya (Mark) Alling, Ripon, Wisconsin. Step-sons Michael Schael, Cambridge, Wisconsin; Dan Schael, Nashville, Tennessee; and Thomas (Diane) Schael, Carpentersville, Illinois. Arlene is further survived by grandchildren Jordan (Catherine) Barnett, Cameron Barnett, Robert Barnett, Michael Orwig, Lena Orwig, Wilson Orwig, Zachary Peotter, Megan (Kevin) Sonntag, Noah Alling, K. Avery Schael, and Spencer Schael. Her sister, Hazel Clark, also survives her, as do many nieces and nephews.
Arlene was preceded in death by her husband, Henry Schael, her father and mother, Joe and Lillie Russ, her brother Joe E. Russ, her sisters Martha Drogemuller and Velma Reichenbach and three infant siblings. The ashes of her guide dog, Kathy, will be interred with Arlene’s body.
A private interment will take place in Pleasant Grove Cemetery, McLeansboro, Illinois. A celebration of life will be scheduled at a later date. Memorials to Guide Dogs for the Blind, P.O. Box 3950, San Rafael, California 94912-3950 or donations@guidedogs.com would be greatly appreciated.
Arrangements by Harre Funeral Home, McLeansboro, Illinois.