Reported by Buzz Hayworth

James Gustave Schaut

Jul. 24, 1942 - Sep. 24, 2003

James Gustave Schaut, 61, of Caroline Street, South Bend, Ind., passed away on Wednesday, Sept. 24, in Silver Cross Hospital, Joliet, Ill.

Jim was born on July 24, 1942, in South Bend, as the son of Gustave P. and Dorothy M. (Barzo) Schaut. He was preceded in death by his father, Gus. He grew up on Kosciusko Street on the city's west side. As a young teen he was proud to be a carrier for the South Bend Tribune.

He graduated from Central High School in 1960 where he was a member of Headers Car Club. He was also a member of the St. Joseph Valley Railroad Club. He worked on the Grand Trunk Railroad as a fireman in 1964, then he went on to drive trucks. He joined his dad, Gus, working at Meilstrup Cartage. He was a trucker for 35 years and a member of Teamsters Union Local 364 for 25 years. He drove for such companies as Spector, Hover, Overland (Ron's Delivery Service) and Carolina until finding a home with ABF Trucking in 1992. He finally had found a job he truly enjoyed! He retired in 2000 to relax and spend more time chasing trains.

Jim was a very outgoing man with a flair for making people smile. He was a very fun-loving and generous man. He enjoyed nothing more than to sit in various locations and watch the trains go by, meticulously writing each engine number down.

He is survived by his mother, Dorothy M. Schaut of South Bend; two daughters, Kimberly A. Berry of Lancaster, Ohio, and Rebecca S. Schaut of South Bend; two granddaughters, Karen L. Berry of Lancaster and Kassandra R. Schaut of South Bend; and a grandson, Dylan W. Berry of Lancaster; a sister, Susan M. Taylor and her husband Louis (who also was Jim's friend for 42 years) of South Bend; a brother, Steven P. Schaut and his wife Rebecca of Elkhart, Ind.; a nephew, Russell L. Taylor and his wife Blanca; and a niece, Michelle Schaut and her boyfriend, Gil.

He will be greatly missed by his family and friends, especially close friends and loving neighbors, Chris, Lori and Nick Thompson and best friends Mike Robertson and Terry Cline.

Friends may gather to remember James from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 28, in Hahn Funeral Home, 505 W. 8th St., Mishawaka.

12/31/2021 DEC

South Bend Tribune