Madonna Ruth Schamber
October 19, 1923-October 28, 2022
Madonna Ruth Schamber, 99, of Westfield, passed away on Friday morning, Oct. 28, 2022, at Riverwalk Village in Noblesville, Indiana.
She was born on Oct. 19, 1923, in Sheridan, daughter of the late Richard and Glenia (Spear) Brandenburg.
After graduating from Sheridan High School with the Class of 1941, Mrs. Schamber earned a degree from Indiana Business College.
Early in her career she was hired at Eli Lilly, working in the corporate center as an office assistant. She later served as the Secretary to the Liberal Arts Dean and Vice President for of Academic Affairs at Tri State University (later becoming Trine University), in Angola, and retiring in June of 1986. Mrs. Schamber also worked part-time for Moffett Water Systems and Miller and Associates, Inc., as well as an Avon representative for several years. She had fond memories of her time with Avon and the customers she met along the way.
She was a woman of strong faith. Shortly after getting married, Mrs. Schamber joined the Lutheran Church, a decision that would impact her life in numerous ways. She faithfully served many congregations during her lifetime, in various capacities. She began her journey as a classroom teacher at her church in California, and later moved to Indiana, where she joined the congregation in Noblesville. It was there that she became active in the LWML (Lutheran Women’s Missionary League). A few years later Mrs. Schamber started attending Pilgrim Lutheran Church, as it was closer to where she and her family lived. She later served as church secretary, and took an active role in the work center the church had started in partnership with Lutheran Braille in California. She and her husband were both active at their church in Angola during their years in Northern Indiana, but Pilgrim was always home. After her return to Central Indiana, Mrs. Schamber intended to take a less active role in the church, however…… the church was coming up on its 50th anniversary, and she was approached to write the history of the church. She was the perfect choice for such an undertaking. Her labor of love was published in October of 2005. She was currently a member of Lord of Life Lutheran Church in Westfield, Indiana.
Survivors include her 2 sons Ernest R. Schamber (Kimberly) of Noblesville and Thomas D. Schamber of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; grandson Andrew Schamber of Portland, Oregon; and sister Oleta Nay of Carmel.
She was preceded in death by her parents Richard and Glenia (Spear) Brandenburg; brother-in-law Fred Nay; and her loving husband Herbert Schamber on Jan. 21, 1995. The couple were married on Aug. 8, 1948.
Services are scheduled to take place at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022, at Kercheval Funeral Home, 306 E. 10th St., Sheridan, with Visitation scheduled to be held from 12 p.m., noon until the time of service. Burial will follow at Crown View Cemetery in Sheridan. Pastor Ethan Spira will be officiating.
Memorial contributions may be presented to the American Cancer Society, the Parkinson’s Foundation or to the Lord of Life Lutheran Church.