Daniel Schroeder

Some of us lead hollow lives, so caught up in our careers, our wants, or daily routines, we forget what's most important in life: To enjoy it. Dan Schroeder was a man who enjoyed every moment of his life, and enjoyed sharing it with us even more. He was a loving son, husband, father and friend, who lived his life with a gleam in his eye. Today his life shines on in all who knew him. Dan's story began on a warm summer day in 1941, in the town of Munising, in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Those were anxious times in this country, which was watching the world go to war, still a few months away from the terrible attack on Pearl Harbor. On August 26, 1941, Clarence and Ruby (Humphrey) Schroeder found reason to celebrate, with the birth of a baby boy, a son they named Daniel Joseph Schroeder. Dan was the second of seven children in the Schroeder's home, located on Jewel Street in Munising. His father was a linotype operator for the Munising News, while his mother cared for the large family. The Schroeders lived across the street from Sacred Heart Catholic Church, where they were faithful members, and where the kids all went to school. It was a great childhood for Dan, and the family enjoyed playing together. They went swimming in the summers and skating in the long winters. His older brother Clare would build homemade sliding carts and then make Dan test them out. In 1953, the family packed up and moved south to Twin Lake, Michigan, when Dan's dad took a job at the Muskegon Chronicle. By then a growing 12-year-old young man, Dan had become a talented athlete. He was a star pitcher on his Little League and Pony League baseball teams, and later at Muskegon Catholic Central High School. His pitching prowess drew the attention of Major League scouts, but Dan hurt his arm on the day before the scout came to look at him! Dan was also a talented golfer, and played with the club pros around the area. Some said he was good enough to turn pro, too, though Dan just wanted to have fun playing the game. From an early age, Dan understood that life was to be enjoyed, and had a prankster's heart. He loved to tease his brothers and sisters, a trait he carried throughout his life. After high school, Dan found a job driving a Pepsi delivery truck. In 1964, he decided to join the Army, where he learned to become an engine mechanic. Dan spent a year overseas in Korea, helping build runways and floating bridges. Dan served his country for three years, a time he enjoyed very much. When he was discharged, he returned to Muskegon, and resumed his Pepsi delivery route, until he switched to delivering Coke! Dan rented an apartment on Big Blue Lake, and bought a really fast speedboat, too. Dan loved his toys, and also owned several sports cars, including an Austin Healy and a Corvette, which he raced at the local drag strips. Dan knew how to have fun, that's for sure, and lived for adventure. Soon, however, he found something else to live for: a family. In August of 1971, Dan met a beautiful young woman named Charlotte Freeman, who was working as a waitress at Connie & Doc's Sandwiches. A mutual friend, Art Mosher (who drove the Coke truck with Dan), introduced them. Dan promptly asked Char on a date, but she insisted it be a double date with Art and his girlfriend. The two couples went to the Getty Drive-In Theater. Dan and Char instantly connected. She thought he was serious, smart, and a good listener, and she was right; he was serious - about her! Before they knew it, they were married in a small wedding at a minister's home on December 30, 1971, which was a shock to Dan's family, who barely knew he was dating someone! The newlyweds moved into a little apartment on Roberts Street in East Muskegon, and later to a home on Broadway. It wasn't long before they became parents, with daughter Rita born in October 1972 and their son Bryan in January 1976. Dan was a wonderful husband and father, and relished becoming a family man. He gave up his fast toys and happily settled down, which he never regretted doing. In the wintertime, he made ice rinks and sliding hills for his kids, and in the summers they enjoyed camping trips and family picnics, too. In 1977, Dan grew tired of driving the Coke truck, and decided to become a millwright. He was very handy, and enjoyed making things, so it was a good fit for him. The family moved to Mount Pleasant for a short time, and then to Au Train in the U.P, close to Pictured Rocks, where Dan spent his boyhood. Dan loved being back "home," but after three years working in the factories there, the work dried up, and they moved back to Twin Lake. Dan began making lawn furniture on the side, including picnic tables and wishing wells. He started just making them for friends and family, but the demand for his creations grew, so he started a business called "Swings-n-Things." Dan made gliders, windmills, swings and much more, and the business grew rapidly. Eventually, Dan's business grew so large, he couldn't handle it all alone. But rather than add more staff (and hassle), he decided to just go back to being a millwright, for Local 1102, which sent him all over West Michigan. He then spent seven years at the paper mill in Muskegon, until he retired in 2003. Dan didn't sit still in retirement, though. He was a self-professed workaholic, and always looking for something to do. He loved being retired to spend more time with his family, though, especially his granddaughter Kelsi, who he doted on. He loved to tease her and play with her, too. Dan wasn't one to say "I love you" a lot, but he never needed to. His actions always spoke for him, and he was always there when you needed a hug, and quick to give you some good-natured ribbing to make you laugh. In early June of 2007, Dan had a sudden heart attack at home. His son Bryan desperately performed CPR on his father, but the damage had been done, and Dan sadly died on Sunday, June 10, 2007, at Mercy Hospital in Muskegon, at the age of 65. Dan was a wonderful man, who lived a wonderful life, a life so full of fun, friendship, and family. Dan was a beloved husband, father, grandfather and friend, but more than anything, he was a man who truly enjoyed his life, and taught us to do the same. He will be greatly missed. Surviving Dan is his loving wife, Charlotte; son, Bryan Daniel Schroeder of Twin Lake; daughter, Rita Marie (Anthony) Olechnowicz of Muskegon; granddaughter, Kelsi Schroeder; 3 sisters, Virginia Mary (Joe) West of Muskegon, Barbara Ann Tenbrink of Muskegon, Marcella Ruby (Steve) Anderson of Anderson, KY; 3 brothers, Clarence F. (Judy) Schroeder, Jr. of St. Joseph, David J. (Char) Schroeder of Lakewood Club, James P. Schroeder of Twin Lake; father, Clarence Schroeder, Sr.; many nieces & nephews. He was preceded in death by his grandson, Scott Daniel Robert Schroeder in 1990 and mother, Ruby in 1993. Services are Thursday, June 14, 2007, 11:00 AM at Clock Chapel with Pastor Dick Mead officiating. Visitation is scheduled for Wednesday, 7-9 PM and Thursday, 1 hour prior to the service at Clock Life Story Funeral Home - Muskegon. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to share a memory or sign the online guest book.