NORTHFIELD-Michael Robert Schumacher, aged 84 years, passed away peacefully in his sleep in the early hours of June 29, 2026, in Northfield, VT. He was born on November 16, 1941, in Chicago, Illinois, to Helmuth and Emma (Raddatz) Schumacher.

Michael graduated from Luther High North High School in Chicago, IL, and studied Fine Art at the Art Institute of Chicago, where he was an undergraduate student teacher. He also attended the Art Students League in New York City. His entire life he pursued his vocation as an artist. Along the way, he also spent time in various diverse pursuits including working in his father’s steel shop, and as a draftsman, rebar detailer, railroad worker, surveyor, kiln tile setter, silk screen printer, sign maker, illustrator, sculptor, carver, copper weathervane maker & coppersmith, tool designer, carpenter, cabinet maker, and art teacher.

He married Beverly Louise Erb on April 30, 1966, at Trinity Lutheran Church in New York City and together they had four children: Joel, Eric, Michael and Andrew.

Michael was dedicated to his art and worked in a variety of mediums, including collage, screen-printing, linoleum and woodcut printmaking, oils, pencil, watercolor and acrylics. He was also a skilled woodcarver, sculptor, and coppersmith. His work spanned a wide range of expression, from surrealist poetic “visions” as seen in his collages, to realistic themes drawn from nature, notably exotic birds, fish, and orchids, as well as portraiture of many native and indigenous peoples. He was a lover of the created world and was something of an amateur naturalist and lepidopterist.

He was a dedicated lifelong Christian, and devoted significant amounts of his artistic energies to the churches he attended over the years. He was also passionate about reaching out to the poor and needy, and served in various community outreach ministries throughout his life.

Michael is survived by his wife of 60 years, Beverly, as well as their four sons and three daughters-in-law: Joel (Genia) Schumacher of Wilmore, KY, and their children, Elijah P., Christopher, Mark, Frank, Enoch, John, and Joelle, and great-granddaughter Adelaide; Eric Schumacher of Northfield, VT; Michael (Alison) Schumacher of Northfield, VT, and their children, Ari, Elijah I., Elizabeth, and Emma; and Andrew (Naphtali) Schumacher of Montpelier, VT, and child Asher.

Michael was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Arthur, and sister, Jerilyn Schumacher, and granddaughter Talitha.

There will be a private burial service at Eaton Cemetery in Marshfield for family only on Saturday, July 11th, at 11am and a public memorial service open to all who would like to attend at Williamstown Lutheran Church in Williamstown at 2pm.

You may help support his widow, Beverly, in this time of need by donating towards burial, monument, and living expenses at: https://www.supportnow.org/beverly-and-eric-schumacher

For those wishing to express online condolences may do so at: www.pruneaupollifuneralhome