Tom Schauer

Tom Schauer (1942-2025) of Port Washington passed away peacefully at home on Sept. 21, 2025, surrounded by his loving wife and family. He was 83 years old.

Tom was born and raised in Chicago, Ill., the son of Joseph and Marietta (nee Hatton) Schauer.  

He proudly served his country in the U.S. Navy for nearly six years, including two tours in Vietnam during the war. 

On June 4, 1966, Tom married the love of his life, Jane Santy, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Green Bay, Wis. 

Following his time in the service, Tom had a career in the electronics industry for more than 30 years as a district service manager for Getronics (formerly Honeywell). 

As an avid fan of Chicago sports, he rooted for the Bears and White Sox but wouldn’t say no to a Cubs game too. Tom loved baseball from early on, from playing to later coaching youth teams. He was also an active bowler for many years, bowling in leagues with his wife, children and friends.

He had a strong belief that nobody should ever go hungry and became the organizer of an annual food drive within his family. What started as a small family project in the name of his late daughter turned into an outpouring of love with a goal to outdo the previous year’s donations each December. Under his watch, the family donated more than 500 pounds of food to the local community each year.

Tom’s love of music is deeply rooted in all of his children. He will be remembered for his deep singing voice, dancing to his favorite songs in the kitchen and love for an eclectic array of music, all of which have become family favorites. His spirit and legacy live on within those who knew and loved him.

Tom is survived by his wife Jane and was a loving father to six children, Steve (Kristin) Schauer, Sherry (Dan) Hovey, Jenny (Ryan) Campbell, Jill Schauer, Karen (Jeff) Gruenke and the late Tammy St. Peter. He was a loving grandpa to 16 grandchildren, Justin (Samantha) St. Peter, Savannah (Derek) Zahn, Trevor St. Peter, Joseph, Renee, Rebecca and Jesse Schauer, Dylan and Alyssa Hovey, Brenna and Josie Campbell, Emma and Aiden Lusher and Cameron, Taylor and Sophie Gruenke.

  Two weeks ago, Tom was “promoted” to great-grandpa through marriage, with his second great-grandchild on the way in the spring of 2026. He is further survived by his sisters Patricia (Jim) Dodge and Donna Schauer, nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.   

He was preceded in death by his parents Joseph and Marietta Schauer, sister Diane Neetz, brother Roger Schauer and mother and father-in-law John and Virginia Santy.

Funeral services celebrating Tom’s life will take place on Friday, Sept. 26, 2025, at noon at St. John XXIII Catholic Parish, St. Peter of Alcantara Church, 1800 N. Wisconsin St., Port Washington. Deacon Mike Burch will preside over the funeral service.

Visitation for Tom’s friends and family will take place at the church on Friday, Sept. 26, from 10 a.m. to noon. 

He will be laid to rest with military honors at St. Mary’s Parish Cemetery, Port Washington.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to The Food Pantry Inc. of Port Washington.

Eernisse Funeral Home, Port Washington, is honored to serve the Schauer family.  

Online condolences may be left at www.eernissefuneralhome.com.