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The death of former Troy businessman Chris Schubert on Saturday brought a wave of sadness to those who knew him and appreciated his many contributions to Troy and Pike County.

Schubert owned and operated Wood Furniture Company, Home Express and Sears in Troy. He was also a contributing member of the community through civic clubs and organizations and as an animal advocate.

Bob Mills, a fellow Rotarian said, Schubert was dedicated to the Rotary Club’s Four-Way Test. Schubert believed it was his responsibility to speak the truth, to be fair, to build goodwill and better friendships and to do his best in all situations.

“Chris was past-president of the Troy Rotary Club and also a Paul Harris Fellow,” Mills said. “He was president just before I was and was an outstanding club president. Chris was still a member of the Troy Rotary Club and he and his contributions will be missed.”

Schubert was also a board member of the Pike County Chapter of Habitat for Humanity, Troy Downtown Revitalization and the Pike County Chamber of Commerce.

“Chris and his wife, Donna, were the founders of the Pike Animal Shelter and I believe that was in 2006,” Mills said. “They were both avid dog lovers and it was very important to them to have an animal shelter here in Troy/Pike County. It was their desire to make sure that a shelter was built. A lot of people worked toward that goal but I don’t know of anyone who was more dedicated and had the same feeling about the importance of an animal shelter than Chris and Donna. I’m proud he was able to see it become a reality.”

Mills said Schubert was “a heck of a nice guy” and he will be missed by all who knew him.

Schubert was a member of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church where he served on the vestry and in multiple ministries.

Jean Orendorff said, when she moved back to Troy and first attended St. Mark’s, she felt a little awkward at first.

“The first person who came up and welcomed me was Chris,” she said. “I’ll never forget how much I appreciated his kindness and what that meant to me.”

Rev. Curtis Kennington said Schubert was a dear friend and a servant leader within the church.

“For this church, he was a larger-than-life servant-leader who loved the Lord and his church family,” Kennington said. “He found joy in giving generously to this church. He will be missed to a level that I don’t even know how to say. It is a tremendous loss for the community and especially his church family.”