Darold Henry Arthur Schroeder, known to all as Art, passed away on March 25, 2026. Born on December 29, 1941, in Waverly, Missouri, Art grew up on the family farm in Sweet Springs.
Art’s journey of service began in the United States Air Force. While stationed at Truax Field in Madison, Wisconsin, he met the love of his life, Janet. The two were married on November 9, 1963, and shortly after moved from Madison to the then, small town of Sycamore, Illinois.
During his service, Art was given orders to Homestead Air Force Base during the height of the Cuban Missile Crisis. It was during this pivotal time in history that Art had the distinct honor of saluting President John F. Kennedy. On the flight line, Art served as an Airplane Mechanic and Electrician, where he realized he could fix just about anything with whatever parts were on hand, a resourceful tool that served him throughout his life.
Following his honorable discharge, Art turned that mechanical talent into a career, founding Art’s Refrigeration Service. He owned and operated the business in Sycamore until his retirement, earning a reputation for hard work and a "can-do" attitude that his customers relied on.
However, Art’s truest passion was rooted in the soil. To those who knew him, he was most at home "at the garden." He took immense pride in growing his own food, and many locals will remember the taste of his homegrown sweet corn which he sold at his farm stand. For Art, the long hours at the stand were never truly "work", they were a labor of love and a way to share his passion with his neighbors.
Art is survived by his wife of 62 years, Janet; his children, Darin (Jackie) Schroeder, Steve (Jenny) Schroeder, and Tammy (Jason) Beinarauskas; his siblings, Judy, Harlan, Joyce, and Kent; his grandchildren, Samantha, Nicole, Rebecca, Ashley, Jake, Griffin, Austin, Gwendolyn, Kallie, and Reece; and ten great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Clifford and Erna; his son, Dan; and his granddaughter, Jessica.
It was Art’s wish to be cremated. A celebration of life with military honors is being planned for a later date.

For information, visit www.AndersonFuneralHomeLtd.com or call 815-756-1022.