Elbert Thomas Schrader

Elbert Thomas Schrader, 95, a longtime resident of Mouse Creek Valley, passed away Sunday, December 26, 2021. He was a man who had God in his heart, dearly loved his family and proudly served his country. He was a graduate of Valley Head and Bradley High School and received specialized training in Postal Operations.

A veteran of World War II, he served in the Army occupation of Japan, in the Pacific during 1945-1946. Upon returning from military service he began working for the United States Postal Service. He retired 37 years later having served as a city carrier and supervisor. At retirement he was the Superintendent of Postal Operations, Cleveland, Tennessee.

Mr. Schrader was an active member of First Baptist Church for 69 years. During that time he served over 50 years as an active deacon, including serving as chair and for over a decade as Sunday School Director for the church. He spent almost 35 years serving alongside his wife in ministry with Senior Adults both in the local church and in leadership with the Bradley Baptist Association (now Crosspoint).

In the past, he enjoyed his involvement with several groups which included Veteran’s organizations, Rotary, National Association of Retired Federal Employees and the American Association of Retired People. He was a volunteer teaching instructor for over a decade with the AARP defensive driving courses for senior adults. He also served in leadership for the local NARFE chapter assisting in raising money for the Alzheimer’s Research fund.

His interest in family genealogy resulted in organizing information for the Schrader, Standifer, and Pruett families. He also enjoyed planning and promoting reunions for many years. His other hobbies were varied, flower gardening, camping, planning senior adult trips and events, and family travels which included all 50 states and several international trips.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife of almost 70 years, Alma Ruth Pruett Schrader; parents, Herbert Herman Schrader and Stella Standifer Schrader who were early members of the Mouse Creek Valley community along with his grandparents; and his sister, Evaline Schrader Millsap.

Survivors include their two children, son, Jere Thomas Schrader (Sharon) of Delaware, Ohio; daughter, Janna Ruth Schrader Waldrupe (David) of Knoxville, TN; four grandsons: Bryan Thomas Schrader (Sarah) and Jeremy Joseph Schrader, all of Ohio, Thomas Raymond Waldrupe (Abi) of North Carolina; Aaron David Waldrupe of Knoxville, TN; one great granddaughter, Emmeline Grace (Emme) Schrader of Ohio; sister-in-law, Dolly McCalvin Pruett of Mount Juliet, TN; and several nieces and nephews.

The Celebration of Life Service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, January 4, 2022 at Fike-Randolph & Son Funeral Home with the Reverend Bob Pruett officiating.

Interment will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, January 5, 2022 in Chattanooga National Cemetery with full military honors and with the Reverend Tom Wickes officiating.

His family will receive friends from 12:00-2:00 p.m. on Tuesday at the funeral home prior to the service.

We invite you to send a message of condolence and view the Schrader family guestbook at www.fikefh.com