Douglas Carlton Schrader

December 3, 1949 - January 15, 2021

Douglas Carlton Schrader – age 71, formerly Chesterton, IN, passed away at home in New Concord, KY, January 15, 2021 with his loving wife & children by his side. Doug bravely battled a rare form of Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma for the past year, common among veterans who were exposed to Agent Orange in Southeast Asia. He was preceded in death by parents, Carlton and Mavis Schrader, & sister, Gail Schrader. Doug was a U.S. Army Veteran proudly serving his country in Southeast Asia, received an Honorable Discharged in 1972. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Earth Science from Ball State University in 1974. Began his career after college as a Science Teacher in Gary & Portage Jr. High Schools from 1974-77. Doug found his calling in external and government affairs and continued his education with courses in Masters of Public Affairs at Indiana University in 1982. Changing his career path to the steel & mining industries, Doug began at Inland Steel Industries, Inc. (1977 – 1991); from 1991 to 1995 was President of the Iron Mining Association of Minnesota; 1995-2001 LTV Steel Corporation (1995 - 2001). He was Regional Manager of Government & Public Affairs working with Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, and Minnesota local and state governments; 2007-2009 Vice President General Sales at Severstal Steel, MI. Doug was Co-founder & Vice Chairman of International Recycling Group, LLC (IRG) started 15 years ago to improve recycling waste plastics into a usable product for the steel industry. Doug was always very active in civic activities throughout his career serving many organizations and committees including Ball State University Cardinal Varsity Club; Lake Area Red Cross Blood Services; Lake Area United Way; Junior Achievement of America Board; Management Association of Illinois; Indiana Business & Industry Political Education Committee; Lakeshore Private Industry Council; Indiana Steel Advisory Commission; East Chicago Urban Enterprise Association; East Chicago Chamber of Commerce; Indiana Business & Industry; Chicago, IL Chamber of Commerce; Minnesota Coalition of Labor & Industry; South Shore Chamber of Commerce; Duluth/Superior Port Authority; Twin City Education Foundation, East Chicago Community Development Foundation; Indiana and Illinois Manufacturers Association, Indiana, Illinois, & Minnesota Chambers of Commerce; Minnesota Tax Payers Association; Northwest Indiana Forum; Iron Mining Association of Minnesota. Doug was appointed by Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura to the Blue Ribbon Commission on Mining, and appointed by Governor Orr to the Initial Indiana Steel Advisory Commission, and reappointed by Governor O’Bannon. Doug will be greatly missed by his loving family: wife of 18 years, Linda Schrader (nee Weaver) of Kentucky; children, Michelle (Brian) Krieter of Coupeville, WA, Megan (Matthew) McDougal of Chesterton, IN, Trenton (Jennifer) Schrader of Freeland, WA, Brian (Jessica) Underwood of Troy, AL, Jennafer (Joseph) Winter of Medina, TN, Spencer Underwood of New Concord, KY, Rebecca (Greg) of Port Ludlow, WA; 17 grandchildren; 2 great-grandchildren; sister, Susan (Van) Vandivier of Peachtree City, GA and Nancy Schrader; the mother of his children, Sheila Schrader. Doug gave his children and grandchildren many memorable adventures while traveling all over the United States. Doug taught his children to be well versed in map reading, searching for Big Foot, and shared his love of Ball State University with everyone he met. He loved the outdoors especially the woods in Michigan & Minnesota. Friends may visit with the family on Saturday, March 20th at Imes Funeral Home, Murray, KY from 3 to 5:30 pm. A celebration of Doug’s life will be held for family and friends at the Chesterton United Methodist Church, Chesterton, IN. on Friday, March 26, 5-7:30 pm & Saturday, March 27, 2021 from 8 am until the celebration service at 9:30 a.m. Following at 12 noon will be a short graveside service with military honors at Salem Cemetery, 751 W 350 S, Hebron, IN. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Doug’s honor to the Calloway County Humane Society, PO Box 764, 607 Poplar St, Ste A, Murray, KY 42071, https://www.forthepets.org/.