Michael Allen Schatz

Michael Allen Schatz, of Sullivan, MO, passed away at his home on Monday, February 9, 2015 at the age of 56 years.
Mike, as he was known by his family and friends, was born in St. Louis, MO on January 4, 1954 to Leroy A. Schatz and the late Virginia E. Eggers Schatz. He was raised in the St. Louis area until the 6th grade when the family moved to the Sullivan area. On April 29, 1995, he was united in marriage to Christina Juergens in Jamaica. Mike earned his Associate’s degree Law Enforcement from East Central College. For a time, Mike was employed with the Missouri State Highway Department. In 1981, he became employed with the Franklin County Sheriff’s Department which would continue for 31 years.  While with the Sheriff’s Department, Mike worked the Road Patrol for 20 years and was promoted to Patrol Sergeant and Civil Process/Court Security Lieutenant in 2003. He spent 17 years on the Department of Emergency Response Team and served as Chairman of the Franklin County Crisis Intervention Team Council. Mike was a Specialist Instructor for the Missouri Sheriff’s Association Training Academy and also served on the Spring Bluff School Board for 13 years and was President of the Board for six years. In 2012, Mike was elected to Second District Commissioner. He enjoyed martial arts and was also an instructor and he loved cowboy shooting.  Mike was known as a hard worker and had the respect of his friends and peers. He was well known for his kind spirit and ability to help others, always with a smile. Mike was a member of Sullivan Lodge #69 AF&AM, Board Member of the South Community Credit Union, and New Testament Baptist Church of Sullivan.
He is survived by his wife, Christina, of the family home; three children, Andrea Schatz of Springfield, IL, Dylan Schatz and Alex Schatz both of Sullivan; one brother, Mark Schatz and wife, Valerie, Sullivan; one sister, Linda (Cross) Adams and husband, Rick, of Sullivan; his father Leroy Schatz of Sullivan; mother-in-law, JoAnn Juergens of Sullivan; other relatives and friends.  Along with his mother Virginia, Mike was also preceded in death by his step-mother Patricia (Kocinski) Schatz and father-in-law Roy Juergens.
Memorial funeral services were conducted 1 p.m., on Friday, February 13, 2015 from New Testament Baptist Church in Sullivan with Pastor Charlie Idleman officiating, ending with an End of Watch Ceremony under the auspices of the Franklin County Sheriff’s Department. A gathering of family and friends was held from 9:30 a.m. until time of service at New Testament Baptist Church of Sullivan.
Memorials may be made to the Michael Schatz Scholarship Fund at Spring Bluff School.
Funeral arrangements were under the care of the Eaton Funeral Home, Sullivan, MO.