Louis Schweihofer

Louis Nicholas Schweihofer lived in St Clair, Michigan all of his life. It is the place he called home, and the place where he created a lifetime of memories with his family and friends, whom he treasured.

The year was 1905 and America was in a period of great change. The American Revolution attracted people from across the country and around the globe to the newly thriving cities where jobs were plentiful. Many farmers left their fields to take part in the rapidly developing manufacturing economy. However, Louis and Louise Schweihofer were content living on their farm in St. Clair, Michigan. Already the proud parents of Alfred, Loretta and Theresa, they welcomed the birth of their identical twin sons, Louis Nicholas and Lawrence Vincent, on December 4, 1905. They were later joined by sister Clara and brothers Edward and Henry.

Louis or Louie as he was usually called, along with his seven brothers and sisters, grew up in St. Clair with an appreciation for hard work helping their parents run the farm smoothly. Louie attended the Keves one-room school house until the seventh grade and then went to St. Mary’s Catholic School in St. Clair. After completing the eighth grade, however, he quit school and devoted his time to working on the family farm. The family was members of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in St. Clair, and this strong catholic upbringing would become an important part of Louie’s life.

Louie’s life took a new direction when he met Georgina Mary Hayes at a dance in New Baltimore, Michigan. He didn’t know it at the time, but this would be the woman who would share his life for fifty-four years. The young couple were immediately attracted to each other and over the next two years, Louie traveled to Yale, Michigan, to see his sweetheart. Georgina or “Jean” was teaching school in the same one room school that Louie attended years before. They were happily married on October 8, 1938, in Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Yale. Louie and his new bride settled down in his family home at 3169 Allington Road. This house held many wonderful memories for Louie for this was where he was born and raised and now he in turn would raise his own family here making precious memories together. He and Jean were blessed with six children: James, Jack, Marion, Louise, Ann and Jerry.

Louie and Lawrence, who lived next door, were very close. This was not surprising considering they spent the majority of their time together working the Schweihofer farm. Louie and his brothers also built a cottage on Lake Huron in Lakeport, Michigan, with lumber from their own wooded property. The cottage was a wonderful place where the families could gather through the years and celebrate many precious events together.

In addition to farming, Louie chopped firewood and sold Funk's seed corn to area farmers. He grew his own grapes and made wine until he was 96 years old and enjoyed handing this out as Christmas gifts to family and friends. At 97 years old, he was happy to oversee and instruct some novices to the trade. Another tradition that Louie kept going for over 50 years was an annual retreat to the Manresa Retreat House in Birmingham, Michigan, with his sons, brothers, and nephews, and grandsons.

Besides being a dedicated husband, father and farmer, Louie also worked as a butcher and carpenter and helped build several homes in the St. Clair area with a local carpenter. Another eight years were devoted to working the night shift for 50 cents an hour at Diamond Crystal Salt Company in St Clair.

When he wasn't working, he was also active in several community and church groups. He belonged to the St. Vincent DePaul Society, the Usher's Club, and Knights of Columbus 4th Degree for over 50 years. Louie also served as a China Township Trustee for many years. His generous nature reached beyond his family. He and Lawrence would go out on Thanksgiving Eve delivering up to 30 turkeys donated by the St. Vincent DePaul organization to those less fortunate.

Louie pursued everything he did with vigor and enthusiasm, including his hobbies such as gardening and growing flowers. His love of the outdoors remained with him throughout his life which was apparent from the beautiful seven-foot tall sunflowers that adorned his home. A big fan of Notre Dame Football and Detroit Tigers Baseball, Louie was an avid watcher of their games. Playing cards with his family including his grandchildren, great grandchildren and friends was another of his favorite hobbies.

Louie and Jean enjoyed traveling together and made many great memories on trips to Hawaii and Rome, where Louie had the greatest joy of seeing the Pope and touching his robe as he passed by. For 13 years, they would also travel to warmer weather in Bradenton, Florida during the harsh Michigan winter months. It just so happened that Bradenton was home to the Pittsburg Pirates Spring Training Camp. Louie attended many of their training games, including the year they won the World Series.

Although Louie’s life was happy, it was marked with great sorrow. He lost his beloved wife Jean on May 13, 1992 from Alzheimer’s disease. She peacefully passed away in their home. Louie continued to live a very full and productive life but dearly missed the company of Jean and their life together. He continued with his hobbies and spending time with his family and friends.

Louis Nicholas Schweihofer, age 98, of China Township died on Monday August 2, 2004. He is survived by his sons, Jack (Rose) Schweihofer, Jerry (Linda) Schweihofer, daughters, Marion (Walt) Jones, Louise (Jim) Courville, Ann (Dan) Linsday, and daughter-in-law, Elaine Schweihofer; fifteen grandchildren; and nineteen great grandchildren. Louis was preceded in death by his wife, Georgina, his son Jim, his granddaughter Tammy, his sisters, Clara Gille, Theresa Schweihofer, and Loretta Quigley. Louis is also preceded in death by his brothers, Alfred, Lawrence, Edward, and Hank Schweihofer.

Visitation for Louie will be held on Tuesday from 4-9pm and Wednesday from 2-9pm at the L.C. Friederichs & Son Funeral Home, 214 Trumbell St. in St. Clair. A Rosary will be held on Wednesday at 8:30pm at the funeral home. Prayers will be held in the funeral home on Thursday at 9:30am with Mass at 10:00am at St. Mary's Catholic Church.

Burial will take place in St. Mary's Cemetery following the Mass of Christian Burial.

Memorial contributions may be given to the Diabetes Foundation or St. Vincent DePaul.

Louie Schweihofer’s hard work provided him with a full and happy life. His family will always remember his kind presence; including his warm smile, his sense of humor, and hearty laughter.