Our History
The company known today as Schneider Auctioneers LLC had its beginning in 1908 when Julius Kallmeyer and his son William Kallmeyer saw the need for auctioneers in and around the area of Hermann, MO. Kallmeyer & Son Auctioneering was born and the need for their services has grown ever since. The next members to join the business was the third generation, Joy Kallmeyer and his brother, Wilford, sons of William. Joy was the most active member while Wilford was busy building the trucking company, another enterprise of William's sons. However, from 1952 until 1954, Wilford was called to help his father while Joy was away in the Army. After Joy's return from the service, Wilford was glad to relinquish the responsibility and Joy assisted his father until his retirement whereupon Joy continued to build the business. For more than 30 years, Joy and his wife of 47 years took care of all the facets of a thriving auction company. Joy has logged over 2000 auctions, benefits and fundraisers since he began helping his father and grandfather after graduation from high school.
In 1969 the 4th generation, Roy Schroff (nephew of Joy Kallmeyer and grandson of William Kallmeyer) was employed. Shortly thereafter came the name Kallmeyer – Schroff Auctions. Kallmeyer-Schroff Auctions conducted as many as 40 auctions yearly, comprised of mainly on location auctions of estates, antiques, collectibles, real estate, farm and country auctions, liquidations, equipment and vehicles as well as numerous charity and fund-raising events. Most of these auctions were within a 30-mile radius of Hermann, MO. In Roy's 55 year career in the auction business (Roy passed away in September of 2024) he conducted over 2,000 auctions. Kallmeyer-Schroff Auctions received numerous civic honors as well as advertising excellence awards at the State and National levels. Both Joy Kallmeyer and Roy Schroff are recipients of the coveted Hall of Fame Award from the Missouri Professional Auctioneers Association and continued as active members of that organization. In 2003 Joy decided to shift to a lower gear and semi-retire. He sold his share of the business to Roy and his wife Mary at which time the name of the business was changed to Schroff Auctions, LLC.
In 2009 Lucas Schneider came to work for the Schroffs and worked for them for the next several years. In January 2012 a deal was struck for Lucas and Andrea Schneider to buy Schroff Auctions as Roy and Mary Schroff wanted to slow down. Lucas and Andrea continued to operate under the Schroff Auctions name with the Schroffs continuing to work with them. In August of 2012 the name of the company was officially changed to Schneider Auctioneers, LLC.
The business model has changed over the years and starting in 2016 the auctions moved from traditional live auctions to now mostly conducting online auctions. Additionally, Schneider Auctioneers LLC has moved away from being a general auction service to focusing mostly on conducting auctions of farm equipment, construction equipment, transportation equipment, and farm & construction toys and has become one of the foremost auctioneers of agricultural and construction equipment in East Central Missouri. Schneider Auctioneers, LLC conducts online only auctions, live auctions or live auctions with online simulcast bidding from our auction facility or at the seller's premises and sells thousands of items annually, consigned from all over the US, to bidders all over the US and as far away Canada, Mexico, South America, New Zealand, Europe and beyond.
Meet our staff
Lucas Schneider – Owner – Auctioneer
Lucas is a full time professional auctioneer and a graduate of the Missouri Auction School. He is licensed in many states and foreign countries and conducts auctions from coast to coast in the U.S., Europe, the Middle East and Australia. He is a member of the Missouri Professional Auctioneers Association and the National Auctioneers Association. In addition to owning his own auction company Lucas works internationally as one of the senior auctioneers for the largest privately owned equipment auction company in the world. He conducts 100+ auctions annually.
Andrea Schneider – Owner – Business Manager
Mary Schroff – Cashier
Joy Kallmeyer – Auctioneer Emeritus
Jack Schneider – Auction Coordinator & Consignment Representative
Rick Schneider – Auction Coordinator
Annette Witthaus – Cashier
Haley Sunfield – Cashier
Gilbert Witthaus - Auction Coordinator & Consignment Representative
Wayne Schowe – Auction Coordinator
Steve Traub – Auction Coordinator
Sonny Kiel – Auction Coordinator
Dale Schroer – Auction Coordinator
John Gabathuler – Auction Coordinator
