Wally Schramm
December 11, 1927
December 13, 1996Wally was a great friend of the Fireside Guard and we will miss him.
He was true to his profession and a real Centralian in every sense of the word.
God Bless
Charlie and the Guard staff.
MARGARET'S WORLD
By Margaret JorgensenGoodbye, Wally
About 30 people were standing on the steps of First Christian Church waiting to enter the sanctuary and find their seats for a funeral service Monday afternoon. Even though the wind made the overcast day that much colder, no one seemed to mind.
In the conversation some people make just before they prepare themselves emotionally for such a service, one lady was commenting on how her white cat decided to leave an impression on her black skirt.
One man standing next to her said, "lf there was a way to dye that cat black, I' d do it."
I said, "That would work only on black clothes. Suppose she had on something white. Then she'd have the same problem."
Another person replied, "That's simple. All she'd have to do was to wash the cat and her problem would be solved."
There was a round of chuckles, then laughter. There are some folks who would say it wasn't dignified to crack jokes outside a church just before a funeral. Maybe it isn't, but the man several hundred Centralians were honoring that afternoon probably laughed, or at at least gave his patented smile and wink as he was watching from heaven that day.
It kept me from reaching for the Kleenex, at least for a few minutes. But, when I was inside and the service began for Wally Schramm, it took everything I had to keep my eyes from getting wet. Granted, I had known Wally, his wife Nita, and some of his family members only a short time. Others in the First Christian Church sanctuary knew him for several years; a few worked with the man who was the spokesman for A.B. Chance Company.
All, regardless of how long they had known him, knew they, and Centraiia, would be missing someone special.
Schramm was the "Wordwright of Chance," a name given to him by the people he worked for. His contributions remain in the pages of old Centralia Fireside Guards, for he wrote hundreds of biographies of Chance employees, announced promotions and other company business, as well as edited the Chanco News.
He was a rich source of information to a newcomer like me. There were times when I was stuck for a story idea and he would offer what he called "a news tip." Those "tips" often led to the most interesting features I had ever written.
He was a stickler for details and accuracy. There were times when he did some proofreading for the Guard staff. At times, he would bring an article back to me with a paragraph highlighted and the notation, "perhaps it would sound better like this," along with a suggestion.
Longtime employee Velma Sims Allen said, "There were times when I was running the linotype for the Guard when I could have screamed at Wally when he brought in more changes to copy, but I didn't. He was and remains a dear friend."
But there was more than just knowledge and writing ability. Schramm truly liked what he was doing and where he lived. At times, when I was frustrated with life at the Guard, he would come into the office with a smile, say "Hello, Margaret, what's news at the Guard today?" You couldn't stay in a bad mood for long after one of those greetings.
He also gave of himself in the community, from work at First Christian church to his service as Kiwanian and other projects. Even when he was fighting his own battle with heart illness, he counseled and supported others in Centralia's "Heart Club."
It takes someone special to put aside personal challenges to help people; Schramm did.
The service monday reflected his optimism and love of life. It was surprising to hear Christmas music (not Jingle Bells, but older, more traditional carols), then a few selections from the "Sound of Music," one of Schramm' s favorite movies.
The eulogies given reflected Schramm's love of books, music and the outdoors. He was one who appreciated and loved simplicity — like taking walks or sitting with a good book by the fire.
The reality of missing a friend set in for me Sunday, as the First Christian chancel choir performed their Christmas cantata. Wally and Nita made it a point to attend, and I could usually pick out the couple enjoying the performance.
The emptiness hit and suddenly, a relative newcomer felt something hundreds of longtime Centralians did.
Goodbye Wally. I'll miss you. This town will miss you.
Printed with permission — from the December 17, 1996 issue of the Centralia Fireside Guard, Centralia, MO
Sketch from his memorial serviceWalter Henry Schramm, age 69 years, of Centralia, Missouri, died December 13, 1996 at Boone Hospital Center, Columbia, Missouri, where he had been a patient for approximately one week.
The son of George and Sarah Ellen Faulk Schramm, he was born December 11, 1927, at Menominee, Michigan.
He was married October 24, 1947 in East Lansing, Michigan, to Helen Juanita Nelson and she survives.
Other Survivors include: two daughters, Linda L. Gowdy, Clemson, South Carolina, and Ellen Kay Hollinshead, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma: two sons, Bradley J. Schramm, Chicago area, and Thomas A. Schramm, Columbia; three grandchildren, Jeffrey L. Gowdy, Univ ersity of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, and Laura B. Gowdy, both of Clemson.
He was a graduate of Michigan State College, East Lansing, Michigan, where he was a journalism major.
Wally was a prominent employee of the A.B. Chance Company, Centralia, Missouri, for 37 years. He was public relations manager, company spokesperson and editor of Chanco News, among his titles and achievements.
He was a member of the First Christian Church; 35-year member of the Centralia Kiwanis Club, Park Board member, secretary of Neighborhood Watch and charter member of the Chamber of Commerce and the Centralia Historical Society. He was commited to devel oping the Centralia Museum and encouraging community interest in local history.
He was active in the Boy Scouts Council on the District level and a member of the Sons of the American Revolution. He assisted in redesigning Chance Gardens to its original design.
Services were held at the First Christian Church, Centralia, Missouri, Monday, December 16 - 2:00 p.m.