"Former Daily Chronicle editor, columnist, and lifelong newspaperman Barry Schrader, 79, died Tuesday afternoon [June 30] after a battle with pancreatic cancer. DeKalb Mayor and close friend Jerry Smith confirmed the news Tuesday, and said he was informed by one of Schrader's sons of his death around noon. He said he found it poignant that Schrader, whom he called a 'news hound' died the same day that Facebook announced it will build an $800 million data center in DeKalb, a story Schrader would have loved." - Excerpt from June 30 article by Kesley Rettke for the Daily Chronicle
Earlier in June, the Sycamore Rotary Club recently joined with Rotarians from the DeKalb Retirement Center-Oak Crest and friends who all honored Barry for his many contributions to the Sycamore community and to Rotary. Family members in attendance included Barry's sons Darrin and Todd and sister in law, Carol Larson, sister to Kay Schrader.
During the ceremony, 2019-2020 President of Sycamore Rotary Club Pat Shafer said "If a man is measured by his family, friends, and contributions then Barry Schrader is truly worthy of our honoring him this morning at Oak Crest with this newly planted red maple tree."
One of Barry’s recent contributions to Sycamore and to Rotary was the founding of a satellite Rotary Club here at Oak Crest. Schrader, a former editor of the Daily Chronicle, along with Sycamore Rotarian Dr. Paul Stromborg began the Oak Crest Club with 17 members, many first-time Rotarians. The Rotary motto of "Service Above Self" has truly been a guiding principle for Barry contributions to the Sycamore community.
Barry's obituary states a memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, July 7, 2020, at Sycamore United Methodist Church, 160 Johnson Ave., Sycamore, and later at Oak Crest. His ashes will be interred at Elmwood Cemetery in Sycamore and also near Yosemite National Park, his favorite vacation destination. In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to help fund historical markers throughout the county.
We will miss you, Barry!