Luke Edward Henry Schutzenhofer, age 82, of Smithton, IL, formerly of East St. Louis, IL, born on June 2, 1942 in East St. Louis, IL, passed away peacefully with family at his side on Tuesday, April 29, 2025 at Barnes-Jewish Hospital, St. Louis, MO.
A 1960 graduate of East St. Louis Senior High School, Luke enlisted in the Navy on July 13, 1962. He was a veteran of the Vietnam War and served on the USS Jerome County (LST-848), and previously, the USS Westchester County (LST-1167). He was released from active duty and transferred to the Naval Reserve on July 27, 1966, rank E-5. During his tour of duty, Luke was exposed to Agent Orange, which developed later in life to lymphoma, tumor lysis syndrome, a rare form of leukemia, and finally, Guillain-Barre Syndrome.
As a civilian, Luke worked for Granite City Steel, McDonald Douglas, East Side Levy District, and Hy-Dro Services in Freeburg, IL. Luke was a member of the Smithton Turner Society and St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Smithton, IL.
Luke was preceded in death by his parents, Luke F. and Stella R, nee Bozik, Schutzenhofer. Surviving is Luke’s wife of 56 years, Pat Schutzenhofer, nee McCarthy; his children, twin sons Luke (Cindy) Schutzenhofer of Waterloo, IL, and Mike (Lori) Schutzenhofer of Smithton, IL, and daughter Carrie (Daryl) Koderhandt of Smithton, IL; nine grandchildren, Dustin Schutzenhofer, Hannah Schutzenhofer, Brianna Schutzenhofer, Dalton Koderhandt, Chase Schutzenhofer, Drake Koderhandt, Emma Schutzenhofer, Adam Schutzenhofer, and Katlyn (Conner) Pardieck; two great grandchildren, Blaiklee Pardieck and Beckett Pardieck; a brother, Richard (Judi) Schutzenhofer of Collinsville, IL; his sister-in-law, Bernie (John) Fisch of St. Charles, MO; a special cousin, Patsy (Neal) Gardner of Broomfield, CO; and nieces, cousins, and other relatives and friends.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Bob Barczewski Patient Care Fund at the Division of Oncology, Washington University School of Medicine, MSC 1082-414-2555, 1 Brookings Drive, St. Louis, MO, 63130 or online at giving.wustl.edu/patientcare. If writing a check, please indicate the donation is in memory of Luke Schutzenhofer on the memo line.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Kassly Mortuary, Ltd., Fairview Heights, IL.
Funeral Procession will leave Kassly Mortuary at 10:15 a.m. on Wednesday, May 14, 2025 for an 11:00 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Smithton, IL, Father Mark Reyling officiating. Interment will be at Smithton City Cemetery, Smithton, IL.
