Wilbur H. Schneider

Wilbur H. “Bill” Schneider, 85, of St. Joseph, went to his Heavenly Father, Saturday, June 15, 2013 at his home, surrounded by his loving family. A Celebration of Life Eternal will be held 11:30 A.M. Wednesday at Starks & Menchinger Chapel & Cremation Services, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph with Elder Kurt Schneider & Elder Karen Schreier officiating, with military rites conducted by the North Berrien Military Rites Team. Private burial will follow at North Shore Memory Gardens, Coloma. Friends may visit from 5:00 until 7:00 P.M. Tuesday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Community of Christ Church or Hospice at Home. Those wishing to sign Wilbur’s Memory Book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Bill was born September 3, 1927 in St. Joseph to Herbert & Alma (Grunert) Schneider. He attended St. Joseph High School before entering the United States Navy, serving his country during WWII at Pearl Harbor and later participated in the atomic bomb testing at Bikini Atol. After a tour in Ysingtao, North China, he was discharged in 1947. He returned to St. Joseph and completed his education at the Veteran’s Institute in Benton Harbor. On March 4, 1951, he married the former Nona Morten in St. Joseph. The couple has lived in St. Joseph all of their married life and recently celebrated their 62nd wedding anniversary. Bill was employed as a clerk at the United States Post Office in St. Joseph, retiring in 1988 after 30 years of service. He was an active member of the Community of Christ Church where he served as an Elder for 40 years. Bill was a volunteer driver for the St. Joseph-Lincoln Senior Center, driving clients to out of town doctor appointments. For many years he was an active member of the D.A.N.K. in Benton Harbor. He loved visiting with people, reading and traveling. He was always ready to give a helping hand to anyone who needed it. He will be greatly missed Wilbur is survived by his wife Nona; two daughters-Karen (William) Schreier of Burlington, WI, Kristin (William) Mars of Harbert, MI; his son Kurt (Margaret) Schneider of St. Joseph; six grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents.