Joseph Clarence Schuman, 94 years of St. Leon, IN passed away on Monday, September 7, 2026. Born and raised in St. Leon, Joe was an integral part of making St. Leon what it is today. Growing up, he worked on his family farm, learning how to care for crops and animals that fed their family. After high school he joined the Ohio National Guard which led him to defending the United States in the Korean War and serving as a Sargeant E5 in Field Artillery. Upon returning from war, he joined the St. Joseph American Legion Post 464 where he helped build the legion building, would serve as their Commander, the American Legion State Southern Department Vice Commander, and receive the Oak Tree Award.
St. Leon was always Joe’s home and he invested his time and energy into the town he loved so much. After building a home for his wife, Martha, and their eight children, people took notice of Joe’s skills. He wired his entire home for electric and shortly after started his own company, Joe Schuman Electric. He also learned plumbing and heating & cooling systems along the way, naturally becoming a jack of all trades. It wasn’t uncommon for Joe to get a call from a friend asking for his assistance. It didn’t matter what time of day, Joe popped up and ran out the door to help. When it came time to build the St. Leon Volunteer Firehouse, Joe stopped on his way home from Cincinnati everyday to pick up block and material to keep the job moving. Once the firehouse was completed and St. Leon was putting their volunteer list together, Joe was elected the first fire chief. Not too long ago, Joe started campaigning for St. Leon to get their own zip code…he felt three zip codes was too much for one town and St. Leon deserved it.
Amongst all his characteristics, Joe was a devout Catholic and a family man. He set aside time to travel with his bride and enjoy things like cheering for his beloved Cincinnati Reds. He showed his children how to work hard, be self-sufficient and praise the Lord. He was a lifelong member of St. Joseph’s Campus and prayed the Rosary everyday at 3:00pm without fail. Dubbed the “King of St. Leon” by Father Meyer, Joe was a constant within our community that will be greatly missed.
Joe will be deeply missed by his children Terri (Doug) Norman, Mary Jayne (Don) Cull, Sharon (Putt) Bischoff, Sue (Marvin) Hartman, Dale (Kathy) Schuman, Donna (Dave) Smith, Larry (Mari) Schuman, daughter-in-law Susan Schuman; 14 grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren and sisters-in-law Mary Schuman, Shirley Schuman, and Pat Schuman. He is preceded in death by Martha, his wife of 63 years; son Dave “Neary” Schuman; grandson Gregory Scott Norman; siblings Viola Andres, Matilda Bischoff, Francis Andres, Lawrence Schuman, Loretta Bihr, Alberta Mergenthal, William Schuman, Walter Schuman, Harold Schuman, Richard Schuman; and parents Rose and Joseph Schuman.
Services honoring Joe will be held on Friday, September 11 at St. Joseph’s Church of All Saints Parish. Rosary will begin at 8:45am followed by visitation until 12:00pm. Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 12:00pm. Military honors and graveside services will immediately follow in the church cemetery. For those unable to attend, Mass will be live streamed at https://www.youtube.com/user/aspweeklyhomily. Memorials in Joe’s honor can be made to Masses, St. Joseph American Legion Post 464, or All Saints Parish. Memorials will be accepted at the visitation or can be mailed to the funeral home. Family and friends are encouraged to leave condolences at www.andres-wuestefeldfh.com.