Mary Lou Schicker

Mary Lou Helmsing Schicker of St. Louis went singing into the loving arms of the Lord on Tuesday, June 2, 2015.

She is survived by her beloved husband, William "Bill" Schicker; dear brother, Dan Helmsing; eight children, Jan Davis (Ben), Joe Schicker (Mary Ellen), Bari Neff (Bob), Julie Kincaid (Randy), Lisa Brotherton (Mike), John Schicker (Stacy), Michelle Todt (Michael) and Tricia Thiel (John); grandchildren Patrick Davis (Heather), Cara Davis, Kelly Davis, George Schicker, Kyle Schicker, Mattie Neff, Kelsie Neff, Daniel Neff, Katie Kohut, Dennis Kohut, Emily Kohut, Michael Brotherton, Melissa Brotherton, Matthew Brotherton, Alec Schicker, Ben Schicker, Sam Schicker, Katie Todt, Courtney Todt, Meme Todt, William Todt, Alexander Todt, Anna Thiel and JJ Thiel; great-grandchildren Rainey Davis, Boston Davis and Rowan Schicker; nieces and nephews; grandnieces and grandnephews; cousins; and many other children she loved as her own.

Mary Lou was an inspirational servant, wife, mother, grandmother and advocate of the poor. Mary Lou described herself as a full-time volunteer. After raising her eight beloved children, she devoted most of her time to volunteering at Guardian Angel Settlement in St. Louis.

She also donated her time and effort to St. Vincent DePaul Catholic Church and Peter & Paul Community Services. Mary Lou is an affiliate of the Congregation of the Mission Vincentian Fathers and Brothers. Mary Lou received numerous awards for her career as a servant to the community. Most recently, in 2013 Mary Lou received the Fathers Support Center Community Champions Award. Additionally, Mary Lou was chosen as a Woman of Achievement by the Suburban Journals of Greater St. Louis. Mary Lou also received the J.C. Penney Golden Award for Family Volunteering presented by Gen. Colin Powell, the Quarterback Award for Charitable Endeavors by the St. Louis Rams and the Nerinx Hall Award for Woman of Excellence.

Mary Lou's final act of generosity was to donate her body to Saint Louis University.

A memorial Mass will be celebrated for the life of Mary Lou at 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Vincent DePaul Catholic Church, Park Avenue and 10th Street in St. Louis.

In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made on Mary Lou's behalf to one of the following charities: St. Vincent DePaul Poor Fund, Guardian Angel Settlement Association, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Fathers Support Center or Peter & Paul Community Services.

Kutis Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.