Michael Ray Schlager

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[ Michael Ray Schlager, 86, of Elkville, passed away at 6:15 a.m., Thursday, December 4, 2008 at the Marshall Browning Hospital in Du Quoin.

Ray had worked as a safety officer at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale for seventeen years. He had also worked on the Illinois Central Railroad as a telegrapher. Ray and his wife, Lillian, had been managers at Elkville Teen Town from the mid 1950's to the 1960's. He was a member of the Elkville Christian Church. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II serving in New Guinea.

He was born May 8, 1922 at Buffalo, N.Y., the son of Joseph William and Elizabeth (Brecht) Schlager.

He married Lillian F. Robinson on May 8, 1943 at Chicago, and she preceded him in death on August 18, 2003.

He is survived by two nephews - Karl E. Maple of Elkville and Gary Shaffer of Knoxville, Tenn., two nieces - Carol Downs of Du Quoin and Margaret Herlacher of Maryville, Tenn., one great niece - Donna Lynn Mooney and four great nephews - Mark Maple, Josh Downs, Samuel Shaffer, and Josh Shaffer.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, and one brother - Joseph.

Funeral services will be at 1 p.m., Sunday, December 7, at the Searby Funeral Home in Du Quoin with Bro. Jerry Aken officiating.

Friends may call from 11 a.m. until the time of service on Sunday at the Searby Funeral Home in Du Quoin.

Burial will be in the Sunset Memorial Park at Du Quoin.

Military graveside rites will be conducted by the Du Quoin VFW and American Legion.

Friends may make memorials to the Elkville Christian Church and will be accepted at the funeral home.

For additional information or to sign the memorial guest register, please visit www.searbyfuneralhomes.com.