Matilda Rebecca Schaekel, 98 years old of Decatur, Indiana, passed away at 3:00 a.m. on Tuesday, June 9, 2009 at her residence. Matilda was born on Saturday, July 30, 1910 in Mercer County, Ohio the daughter of the late Frederick Allmandinger and the late Anna (Kallenberger) Allmandinger. She married the late Herman Schaekel on June 1, 1939 and he preceded her in death on April 30, 1981. Matilda was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church, Preble and the sewing society and the Lutheran Women's Missionary League. Matilda was an accomplished, self-taught organist and piano teacher. Matilda began playing the organ at Zion Lutheran Church, Schumm in Van Wert County, Ohio at the age of 17. This began a career in music that ended in 2007. During this time frame, she taught many students piano and some organ. Matilda was also a homemaker. Surviving are her son, Norbert (Mary Ann) Schaekel of Decatur, Indiana, son, Herman Schaekel of Duluth, Minnesota, daughter, Sharon (Herb) Banning Jr. of Decatur, Indiana, fourteen grandchildren, two step-grandchildren, twenty great-grandchildren, two step great-grandchildren, and six great-great-grandchildren. Preceding Matilda in death were one son, Larry Lewis Schaekel; one grandson, Lynn Myron Schaekel; one great-grandson, Christopher Messer; two sisters, Pauline Merkle and Elizabeth Giessler; three brothers, George, Rudolph, and Karl Allmandinger; and one son-in-law, Roy Fuelling. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, June 13, 2009 in the St. Paul Lutheran Church, Preble with Rev. Daniel J. Brege officiating. Interment will follow in the St Paul Lutheran Cemetery, Preble. Friends will be received from 2-5 and 6-8 p.m. Friday, June 5, 2009 in the Zwick and Jahn Funeral Home, Decatur, Indiana and one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday. Preferred memorials are to St. Paul Lutheran Church, Preble; Wyneken Lutheran School; or Worship for Shut-Ins.
