Obituaries
Obituary: Lee F. Schaller
If you asked him what his favorite hobby was, the answer was simple, his family.
Obituary was published and funeral arrangements were entrusted to the care and direction of the Fred C. Dames Funeral Home and Crematory.
Lee F. Schaller
Lee F. Schaller, age 89, passed away peacefully at St. Joseph Medical Center, on Saturday, July 18, 2026. Lee, was born in Minneapolis on March 22, 1937, the son of the late Franklin and Lenora (nee Swan) Schaller and brother to the late Jon (Shirley) Schaller and the late Gay Lynn Ranta.
Find out what's happening in Mokenafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
He wasn't defined by a job title or a list of accomplishments. If you asked him what his favorite hobby was, the answer was simple, his family. Nothing brought him more joy than spending time with the people he loved. Whether it was sharing stories around the table, showing up for life's big moments, or simply making an ordinary day unforgettable with his humor, his family was always at the center of his heart.
There was one person, though, who held an even more special place in his heart, his beloved wife, Betty Ann Fealy. The two wed on June 19, 1965 in Erskine, Minnesota. She was his missing piece, his greatest love, and his best friend. Their love was the kind that others admired, built on laughter, unwavering devotion, and a lifetime of shared memories. Losing her left an emptiness that could never truly be filled. While he continued to love and care for his family with all his heart, those who knew him, knew that a part of him had been missing ever since she passed. There is comfort in believing they are together again, reunited in the love that never left either of them.
Find out what's happening in Mokenafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
To know him was to love him. He never met a stranger and had a remarkable ability to make people feel welcome. There wasn't a mean bone in his body. He led with kindness, offered grace freely, and treated everyone with respect. His gentle spirit and genuine heart earned him the love and admiration of family, friends, neighbors, and everyone fortunate enough to cross his path.
His legacy is not only found in the memories he leaves behind but in the laughter he shared, the love he gave so freely, and the countless lives he touched simply by being himself. He showed us that the greatest measure of a life isn't found in possessions or achievements but in the relationships we build and the kindness we show others.
Lee is survived by his daughter, Leane (James) Nakis; grandsons, Andrew (Hannah) and Ethan; many nieces and nephews also survive.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Betty Ann; his parents; his brother and sister.
Visitation for Lee F. Schaller will be held on Thursday, July 23, 2026, at Fred C. Dames Funeral Home, 3200 Black Rd, Joliet, from 5:00 p.m. until the time of service at 7:30 p.m., beginning with military honors held under the auspices of the United States Marine Corps. Interment will be held privately at a later date.
For more information, please call 815-741-5500 or visit his Memorial Tribute at www.fredcdames.com, where you can share a favorite memory or leave an online condolence.
