Charles Schneider

Mr. Charles Schneider, age, 92, died Saturday, August 22, 2009 at home. He was born in Manitowoc, WI on August 8, 1917 to Julius and Mary (Schack) Schneider. After graduating from Muskegon High School and Muskegon Jr. College, he served in the US Army and the Canadian Air Force during WWII. He married the former Lorraine M. Johnson on February 18, 1944. Mr. Schneider had been employed as a Metallurgist at Teledyne Continental Motors for 37 years until retiring in 1985. He was a member of Samuel Lutheran Church and most recently attended Unity Church of Muskegon. He was a long-time member of the Vikings, VASA Lodge and Lincoln Golf Club. Charlee, as he was fondly known throughout his life by family, friends and co-workers, loved to golf, ice skate, ski, rollerblade, bowl, trout fish, and above all, sail. The family was seldom far from a lake or river in leisure hours. Music is a legacy in the Schneider family, with Charlee beginning to play the violin at age 8. A lifelong patron of the arts, he enjoyed live theater, opera, ballet and the symphony. One of his greatest sources of pride was having played in the Muskegon Symphony Orchestra in the 1940's. Charlee and his "first mate", Lorraine, shared these passions throughout 56 years of marriage. SURVIVORS Daughter, Carolyn M. Schneider, and son, Thomas C. Schneider, both of Muskegon; Sister, Diana Jane Lindland, of Chicago; Sister-in-law, Marilyn Schoulten, of Muskegon and special cousin, Quintin Schneider, of Flint, plus many cousins including extended lineage. Although he did not have biological grandchildren, Charlee cherished his nieces and nephews, extended cousins, as well as many special neighbors and friends, throughout their lives. In his later life, Charlee developed close relationships with many caregiver "angels" most recently, Kristi, Mandy, Helen and Mark. Charlee was preceded in death by his wife, Lorraine (2000), his sister, Mollie (Art) Carlson, brother, Jack (Leota) Schneider and brothers-in-law Reinert Lindland and Max Schoulten. SERVICE A Musical Celebration of Life will be held Friday, September 18, 2009 at 7 PM at Unity Church of Muskegon, 2052 Bourdon St. (Lakeside) in Muskegon. Memorial contributions may be made to the family, toward a lasting community memorial honoring Charlee and Lorraine.