Kenneth C. Schroeder, 73, of Porter, passed away Saturday, November 15, 2008 at the VNA Hospice Center in Valparaiso.

He was born March 14, 1935 in Cook County, Ill. the son of Raymond and Marguerite (Wetterlund) Schroeder, both of whom preceded him in death.

He is survived by two daughters, Carol Robbins of Carbondale, Ill. and Susan (Franz) Van der Hoeven of California, a son, Shane (Jen) Schroeder of Valparaiso; nine grandchildren, three brothers, Robert Schroeder, of Las Vegas, Nev., Vern (Peggy) Schroeder of Fla. and Norman (Claire) Schroeder of Tucson, Ariz.

He was also preceded in death by his wife, Patricia Schroeder; three sisters, Shirley Boss, Marguerite Dodge and Nancy Hjort; a brother, Ray (Bud) Schroeder.

Kenneth worked in the business phone systems department of GTE, retiring in 1990, and was a member of the Indiana Telephone Pioneers and Loyal Order of the Moose in Chesterton.

Funeral services, Pastor Barry Thornton officiating, will be at 10 a.m. Friday, Nov. 21 at the Dykes Funeral Home, 2305 N. Campbell St., Valparaiso. Entombment will be at Graceland Cemetery, Valparaiso.

Friends may call from 3-7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 20 at Dykes Funeral Home.

Memorials may be made to The Salvation Army.

Dykes Funeral Home, Inc. 462-3125.

Posted 11/18/2008