CARBONDALE – Carl Joseph Schulz, 82, formerly of Carbondale, Illinois, passed away on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, at his home in University City, Missouri.

Carl was born in Milwaukee, WI, on March 28, 1944. He spent his first five years there with loving grandparents, aunts and uncles, while his mother recovered from Tuberculosis.

When he was six years old, he moved to Reedsburg, WI, with his parents, Carl and Marion. His sister, Marcia, was born a year later and both enjoyed a happy childhood there, attending St. Peter’s Lutheran Church and School, and later, Webb High School.

As a boy, Carl spent many a Saturday at the Reedsburg Public Library studying maps of the world with his friend Tommy. Carl dreamed of flying airplanes and when he was accepted into the Naval ROTC Program at the University of Wisconsin, his life took off. He graduated with a degree in Cartography and had Navy flight school training in Corpus Christie, TX and Pensacola, FL.

His first duty station was in Hawaii, where he spent five years patrolling the oceans in his P3, tracking Russian submarines during the Vietnam War. Later stations included Moffet Field and Ft. Mugu in California and Glenview Naval Air Station in Northern Illinois. While in California he earned a Masters Degree in Systems Management at USC. He also became a father to Leanne Querida, who later grew up in Buffalo Grove, IL.

Carl moved back to the Midwest when he retired from the Navy in 1989. He worked as a Financial Adviser for Aid Association for Lutherans in the northwest suburbs of Chicago. That’s when he met Joyce, as she was moving toward retirement; and that’s when he became a dad to three more daughters; Jeanne, Joanna and Jamie.

Carl in now survived by his wife, Joyce, his sister, Marcia and husband Russell, his daughter Leanne and husband Ryan Walz, son Riley and daughter Annalise, his daughter Jeanne and husband Mike McQueen, daughters Seriah and Makayla and husband Blake, his daughters Joanna Helmkamp, Jamie Helmkamp and her husband Dan Scholz, sons Tyler and Nathan.

Carl was an adventurer and loved being on the move; from delivering newspapers on his bicycle in Reedsburg to climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro. He learned to scuba dive in Hawaii and taught scuba diving for many years. He dove for Abalones.

When he retired from the Navy, he had had enough flying. His Pacifica became his transport, and he drove across country to California, Alaska, Florida, Nova Scotia and Labradour. He loved to drive and he loved people. He inspired them to trust in the Lord and in themselves. Carl loved the Mya Angelou quote about people forgetting what you said and what you did but never forgetting how you made them feel loved.

For more of Carl’s story go to Letters Without Limits.org.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, August 6, 2026, 11:00 am, at Our Savior Lutheran Church, Carbondale, IL, with Pastor Jay Holden officiating. Visitation will be Thursday morning, where friends may call from 9:00 am, until time of service at the church. Burial will be at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, St. Louis, MO, Friday, August 7, 2026, at 10:30 am. In lieu of flowers send a bouquet to a favorite veteran! Or donate to your local library where many dreams are born.