Harold J. "Red Dog" Schwehr, 79, of Troy, Ill., born Jan. 6, 1935, in Highland, Ill., passed away Wednesday, April 2, 2014, in Troy, Ala.

Harold was a loyal member of Friedens United Church of Christ serving on many of the church's committees. He was a graduate of SIU Carbondale, a member of Sigma Pi, and served his country in the United States Army. Harold started his teaching career at Brush Elementary School in Carbondale, Ill. He was there for one year and then went to McCray Dewey Jr. High School teaching history and government classes and where he retired after 38 plus years of dedicated service to the students and their education.

Harold was an avid football fan holding season tickets from the start of the St. Louis Cardinals and Rams football teams. He loved bowling, golf and softball. He was active in coaching any and all sports. He was an active participant in the Senior Olympics, taught Scholar bowl at McCray Dewey, and was the track coach for Trinity Lutheran School in Hoffman, Ill. But most of all he was the best cheerleader for his grandkids attending any and most every activity they participated in.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Harold A. and Emily E., nee Merkel, Schwehr.

Surviving are his wife, Mary Ellen, nee Heuberger, Schwehr of Troy, Ill.; sons, Terry (Laurie) Meyer of Troy, Ill., and Greg (Carla) Schwehr of Waterloo, Ill.; daughters, Susan Meyer of Granite City, Ill., Wendy (Mark) Porter of Aviston, Ill., and Christie (Noel) Michael of Centralia, Ill.; grandchildren, Cole Meyer, Kimberly (Matt) Griffis, Allison Meyer, Emilie Wagner, Braden Porter, Kerry Porter, Morgan Michael, Reid Michael, Ellie Schwehr and Eli Schwehr; great-grandchildren, Abigail Wagner and Ryan Masterson; and his sister, Agnes (Eugene) Mayberry of Edwardsville, Ill.

Memorials may be made to Friedens Cemetery in Troy, Ill.

Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday, April 7, 2014, at Richeson Funeral Home, Troy, Ill., and 10 to 11 a.m. Tuesday, April 8, 2014, at Friedens United Church of Christ, Troy, Ill.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, April 8, 2014, at Friedens United Church of Christ with Rev. Douglas Seagle officiating.

RICHESON FUNERAL HOME, Troy, Ill.