Howard Lloyd Schneider Obituary
Howard passed peacefully on Tuesday, December 1, 2015 at age 99. He was born on May 29, 1916 on a farm in Green County, WI. He was the 4th son of Mr. & Mrs. Louis Schneider, in a family of seven boys. He lived on the farm until the age of eight, when the family moved to Belleville, WI. After graduating from Belleville High School in 1934, he joined the Civilian Conservation Corp, stationed in Coon Valley, WI. In the fall of 1935 he started attending the Platteville State Teachers College, now the University of Wisconsin at Platteville. He played in the college band, played basketball and was Class President during his junior year. Howard graduated in 1939 with a BS in Industrial Arts Education and Physical Science. He received his MS degree at University of Wisconsin – Stout in 1949 and a Certificate of Advanced Study in School Business Management from the Northern Illinois University in 1969. Howard began his teaching career in 1939, in the high school at Mosinee, WI. He met another new teacher, Phyllis L. Toepke, who taught music and German and after a long courtship, they were married on December 28, 1941 in Minneapolis, MN. In November of 1942, Howard joined the Navy with a Specialist Teacher rating and later became an Aviation Storekeeper. He was assigned to teach in the Naval Air Technical Center at Millington, TN and he and Phyllis lived in Memphis for 2 1/2 years. Their only child, Roger, was born in February of 1944. Howard was sent to officer’s training school at Colgate University at Hamilton, NY in February 1945 and was discharged in September of 1945 as the war was ending. He received his commission as an Ensign after being discharged, and remained in the Naval Reserves for an additional 10 years. In September of 1945 Howard returned to teaching in the public schools, accepting a position in Crystal Lake, IL teaching drafting and physical education. He also coached Junior High football, basketball, and softball as part of his assignment. He spent many summers supplementing his income by working as a carpenter in the building trades. After fifteen years in the classroom, he became a building Principal and remained in that position for five years. A position as Business Manager became available and because of his experience and schooling, he was chosen for the position. After several years, he became the Assistant Superintendent in charge of Business. Howard and Phyllis were active members of the First Congregational Church of Crystal Lake, especially singing together in the church choir. Howard was also directly involved the construction of a large new classroom wing of the church building. Upon retirement Howard purchased a house in a brand-new retirement community in Mesa, AZ called Sunland Village, moving there in 1976. Howard and Phyllis immediately became involved in musical activities in Mesa, with Phyllis doing solo work in the many groups that they joined; including the Sun Valley Chorale and the Velda Rose United Methodist Church choir. Howard was an active member of the Sunland Songsters since 1982. He was also able to put his managerial skills to work in the newly founded Sunland Village Community Association, serving three 2 year terms on the Board of Directors. During the first term he was President and his other two terms he served as treasurer. Describing his attributes when he ran for election in 2002 for his third term on the Board he stated in a letter: “Being a practical man, I will use the practical approach to finding solutions to Association problems and I will continue to work hard for the betterment of our community.” Believing that one should be of service to one’s community, he served on many committees of the Association – Special Events, Finance, Kitchen and Woodshop. He monitored in the Woodshop for over 20 years and was well-known in the community for his excellent woodworking skills and creativity. In 2002 Howard received the state’s Volunteer of the Year award presented by the Arizona Parks and Recreation Association. He was honored for dedicating over 1500 hours per year of volunteer work at Velda Rose United Methodist Church, as chairperson of the annual Sunland Village Association pancake breakfast and his work as a woodshop teacher and monitor, board member and treasurer of the Association. Howard and Phyllis celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary in December 2006, just 5 months before Phyllis passed away on May 6, 2007. Howard continued to live in Mesa in an independent living apartment, before moving to the Pittsburgh, PA area in 2008 to be near his son’s family. He lived in an assisted living facility until September, 2014 and then had to move to a skilled nursing center, where he passed away on December 1, 2015. Howard was the beloved husband of the late Phyllis L. Schneider; father of Roger L. (Vicki) Schneider of Murrysville, PA; loving grandfather of Shelby L. (Michael) Wherry; cherished “Grand da da” of Patrick and Nicholas Wherry of Pittsburgh, PA. Preceded in death by 5 brothers; survived by his brother Delbert Schneider of Florida; also survived by nephews and nieces. A private service will take place followed by interment in Mesa, AZ. Memorials may be made to Velda Rose United Methodist Church, 5540 E. Main St., Mesa, AZ 85205.