Vincent Edward Schrader, 81, of Lafayette, passed away on Sunday, November 19, 2023, at IU Health Arnett Hospital in hospice care. He was born October 31, 1942, in Lafayette, Indiana, to the late Vincent and Mary (Fowler) Schrader. Vincent graduated from Jefferson High School in Lafayette and earned three degrees from Purdue University, Bachelor of Science in Education, Master of Science in Education, and Ph.D. in Educational Administration. On August 1, 1964, he married Marsella Kay Smith in West Lafayette, IN, and she survives.

Vincent worked as a high school English teacher at Ambia High School in Ambia, IN, and at Benton Central High School in Fowler, IN. He then took leave from teaching and trained as a watchmaker and served the family business, Schrader’s Jewelry, for several years. He then went back to teaching, with a position at Wabash High School in Wabash, Indiana, where he taught English, journalism and photography, and sponsored the school paper. From there he went back to Purdue University for his doctorate. Upon completion of his doctorate, he took a position with the Indiana Department of Education as a testing consultant, and later as an adult education consultant. From there he moved to Indianapolis Public Schools as a program evaluator until his retirement from public education. He then came out of retirement to develop the Certified Master Watchmaker Exam for the American Watchmaking Institute. He said of all the things he did in life, however, he had the most fun coaching girls’ soccer at the local youth soccer club in Northern Hamilton County Indiana.

Vincent was an avid fan of music of all kinds and always wished he could learn to play an instrument, but that just wasn’t a gift that he had. He loved to make things with his hands, draw, and create, using a gift that he did have. He was a fan of Purdue football and basketball and NFL football. He was happiest in retirement caring for the five acres he lived on, tinkering in his shop, enjoying his animals, watching his wife’s garden grow, and taking care of his Great Pyrenees Mountain Dog, Jorje, whom he loved dearly.

Surviving along with his wife are his children Roseda A. “Edie” (Jon Zieber) Moffitt of Lafayette, Jeanne (Adrian) Arozqueta of Danville, CA, Paula (Stephen) Adduci of Martinez, CA, Eva M. (Kelly) Jacobson and Arthur “Wil” Schrader, both of Lafayette, and grandchildren Ryan (Maribeth) Moffitt and Kyle Duke Moffitt of Lafayette, Luka and Ashton Arozqueta of Danville, CA, Sydney Adduci of Martinez, CA, and Ariel Jacobson of Lafayette. Also surviving are his siblings John (Arlene) Schrader of San Tan Valley, AZ, Kathy Fletcher of Lafayette, and Joseph Schrader of Lafayette, along with nieces and nephews Jake Schrader, Chris Schrader, Abigail Schrader, Holly Timmons-Fletcher, Ryan Fletcher, Allison Fletcher, and Vincent R. Schrader II, plus grand nieces and nephews. In addition, he and his wife spent many years as foster parents. The foster children are too numerous to list, but he spoke of them many times with pride.

Visitation will be from 2:30 pm until the time of the memorial service at 3:30 pm on Saturday, December 2, 2023, at Soller-Baker Lafayette Chapel, 400 Twyckenham Blvd. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research in Vincent’s memory. 

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