James Edwin Schiele (1929-2024)
Dr. James Edwin Schiele died peacefully surrounded by his four children on Monday, December 9, 2024 in St. Louis. Jim was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and an exceptionally loyal friend.
Born in St. Louis, Missouri on July 20, 1929 to Frances and Herbert Schiele, Jim grew up in Clayton, Missouri, the youngest of two children. His brother Herbert preceded him in death. Jim was a proud graduate of the John Burroughs School. Over the course of his lifetime, Jim received four degrees from Washington University in St. Louis. As a true lifelong learner, Jim received an AB in 1952, an MLA in 1985, and another MLA in 2011 and then at 85 years old, he received his DLA.
A lifelong fan, Jim attended his first St. Louis Cardinals baseball game in 1936. Whether the Cards were at the top of the standings or not, his passion for the team and the game never waned. Jim attended every game with a scorecard in one hand and a cold Bud in the other. His last game was this past September, 2024.
Jim proudly served as a first lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force from 1952 to 1956. He was based in Korea and served as a navigator. Jim was proud of his time in the military and loved recounting tales.
Jim then spent more than four decades running the family-owned St. Louis Screw and Bolt Company. Under his leadership, the company became one of the nation’s leading manufacturers of industrial fasteners, building bridges, power plants and factories.
Jim’s belief in education extended to his service and support of Washington University in St. Louis. Over five decades he acquired prints, some rare, of the Abolition Movement, the Civil War, and Reconstruction. He and his wife Joan donated the collection of prints to Washington University establishing the James E. and Joan Singer Schiele Print Collection. (A Special Man Builds a Special Collection)
Jim devoted time, support and leadership to many organizations. Among the organizations and roles for which he had passion, at Washington University Jim was the Eliot Society Chair for the Weidenbaum Center, a member of the Libraries’ National Council and supported the Athletics Department. He was also an active member and contributor to the Greater St. Louis Honor Flight, the Mercantile Library, and the Missouri Historical Society; he served as the chairman of the Industrial Fasteners Institute, and recently he was proudly named Director Emeritus at Commerce Bank.
Murray Weidenbaum, American economist, professor and author, once said of Jim, “His enthusiasm is contagious, and his generosity is an inspiration.”
Jim had a great love of the outdoors. He loved hosting friends and family on the patio under the trees at his house. He was also an avid tennis player, horseback rider and canoeist. Paddling in a canoe brought him so much joy, whether it was close to home on Creve Coeur Lake or as far away as Buck Lake, Ontario. Leading by example, Jim instilled the love of nature in all of his kids.
Jim is survived by the love of his life — his wife of 68 years — Joan Singer Schiele, his four children Dan Schiele, Carolyn Schiele Murray (Mike Murray), Barb Schiele (Bob Silagi), Jane Sinclare (Stacey Sinclare); his six grandchildren Laura Murray Davis (Sean) and Patrick Murray (Jenna), Jojo and Kate Silagi, Ash and Taylor Sinclare; his four great-grandchildren Cameron and Molly Davis, Harrison and Murphy Murray.
A celebration of his life will be held on January 25, 2025 from 2-4pm at The Whittemore House, 6640 Forsyth Blvd, Clayton, Missouri. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to John Burroughs School, Washington University or an educational institution of your choice.
A RINDSKOPF-ROTH SERVICE
