Person:Robert Scheffert (1)

From the July 22, 1963, edition of the Cedar Rapids (IA) Gazette

Rural Waukon Youth, 22, Takes Own Life

WAUKON -- Robert Scheffert, 22, rural Waukon, was found dead early Sunday and Allamakee county authorities said he had taken his own life with a 20-gauge shotgun.

Scheffert, one of eight children of Mr. and Mrs. Yvo Scheffert, farmers about 14 miles south of here, had been employed at the neighboring Allen Bacon farm the last two years.

Bacon found the body in the basement of his home when he started out to do chores Sunday morning.

Authorities said Scheffert had been with Kenneth Swede and Bruce Colby at Monona Saturday night. Scheffert's car broke down near Luana and the other two took him to the Bacon farm. When they let him out of their car, Scheffert thanked them and said, "Goodbye. I won't see you again."

Authorities said they were unable to determine any motive for the suicide. Services are pending at Schultz funeral home in Monona.

From the August 1, 1963, edition of the Clayton County Register (Elkader, Ia.)

Robert Yvo Scheffert

Robert Yvo Scheffert, son of Yvo and Vivian Scheffert, was born in Clayton County, near Monona, Dec. 17, 1940. He was baptized in St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Monona, by Dr. H.W. Siefkes, Jan. 19, 1941. He moved with his family to the Luana area, where he was confirmed in the Lutheran faith by Pastor L.W. Reuther April 11, 1954.

After attending the local schools, he worked at various jobs in this area, including farming. He died early in the morning of July 21, 1963, at the age of 22 years, 7 months, and 4 days. He was buried in the Luana Lutheran cemetery.

He is survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Yvo Scheffert; 3 sisters, Mrs. Frank (Yvonne) Palmer, Des Moines, Mrs. Alvie (Patty Lou) Lucibus, Oelwein, and Mrs. Arno (Josephine) Schlitter, Luana; 5 brothers Delbert, Ronald, Burdette, David and Stanley, all of Luana; his maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. William Schroeder; also aunts, uncles and cousins.

Pastor Luther A. Meyer was in charge of the service at the Schultz Funeral Home, Monona, Tuesday afternoon at 2 p.m. Helmuth Landt was the pianist and Mrs. Marlin Swensen, vocalist.

The pallbearers were: Merle Miller, James Bollman, Wayne Landt, Harlan Dettmann, Alan Bacon, Jerry Bollman, Bruce Colby and Robert Walz.