Louis Schau

Louis J. Schau, 66, of Mount Carroll, IL and formerly a longtime resident of Chicago Heights, IL passed away on Tuesday, January 6, 2015 at his home. He was born January 21, 1948 in Chicago Heights, IL the son of Carl and Mary (Marchigiani) Schau.
Louis enjoyed an active and creative life. He worked as a chef and manager at the Tivoli Restaurant in Chicago Heights for many years before embarking on a career in software engineering and customer service management. He also co-owned The Basket Arbor gift boutique with his beloved wife, Sheila, whom he was married to for 32 years. After her passing, Louis created a home for himself in Mount Carroll, IL, where he made many cherished friendships. There he began some of his favorite life’s work, contributing to town development and restoration, including founding Brick Street Coffee and acting as president of the Mount Carroll Community Development Corporation. Louis loved reading, spending time with his family and friends and he enjoyed thoughtful and gregarious conversation, and laughter. He will be dearly missed.
Louis is survived by daughters Nichole (Michael) Santoro of Elmhurst, IL and Kimberly (Luke) Moranda of Tampa, FL; and grandson Giovanni Santoro. He is also survived by a sister, Kathleen Schau of Zumbrota, MN, several sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Sheila (nee Petrarca), his parents, and a brother, Al Schau.
Funeral service for Louis will be held Monday, January 12, 2015 at 12:00 pm at Malone Funeral Home, 324 E. State St., Geneva, IL, Father Martins Emeh, officiating. Interment will follow at Resurrection Catholic Cemetery, 37W210 Fabyan Parkway, Geneva, IL. Visitation will be held Monday, January 12, 2015 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Malone Funeral Home. A Celebration of Life Gathering will be held from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, January 16, 2015 at the Brickstreet Market, Mt. Carroll.