Joseph M. Scheidler

Joseph M. Scheidler, 93, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family on January 18.  Born to Matthias and Kathleen Scheidler in Hartford City, Indiana in 1927, Scheidler served in the Navy at the end of WWII, attended Notre Dame University, and studied for the priesthood at Saint Meinrad Seminary in Indiana before moving to Chicago to teach at Mundelein college, where he met his wife Ann. Known to many as the Godfather of the Pro-Life Movement, following the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision, Scheidler dedicated his life to protecting the unborn, founding the Pro-Life Action League in 1980. His activism led to a racketeering lawsuit filed by the National Organization for Women that ultimately resulted in a full vindication at the Supreme Court. The father of seven, grandfather of 26, great grandfather of 1 will be waked at Smith Corcoran Funeral Home, 6150 N. Cicero, Chicago, on Sunday, Jan 24 from 3:00 to 8:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be at St. John Cantius Church, 825 N. Carpenter, on Monday, Jan. 25 at 11:00 a.m. (reservation required) with interment to follow at All Saints Catholic Cemetery in DesPlaines.   In lieu of flowers, donations to the League are requested in his memory.

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