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Orval Jackson "Jack" Schmelzer Jr.
Orval Jackson "Jack" Schmelzer Jr. died following a lengthy battle with cancer in Heritage Convalescent Hospital in Sacramento Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2002, at age 52.
Born Dec. 12, 1949, in Charleston, S.C., Mr. Schmelzer was the son of the late Orval J. and Virginia Lou (Jetton) Schmelzer. He had been a Yolo County resident for the last 47 years, and most recently had been employed at the Cache Creek Indian Casino in Brooks in the maintenance department. According to his family members, "he is a personable and friendly person to all whom he met, he was always willing to take the time to help anyone at anything they needed help with. His joys in life was making the lives of others better."
Mr. Schmelzer is survived by his sisters, Katie Smith, Yvonne King and Tammy Coatney of Woodland, Naomi Allen of Knights Landing and Denise Torres and husband Rafael of Dixon; and brother, Larry Schmelzer of Red Bluff. Also surviving are numerous nieces and nephews; and great-nieces and great-nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Becky Schmelzer; and brother, Gary Lynn Schmelzer.
No visitation is scheduled prior to the graveside service, which will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 6, at the Capay Cemetery. Family and friends are invited to attend.
Kraft Bros. Funeral Directors of Woodland is assisting the family with arrangements.
SCHMIDT
Darrell 'Smitty' Thomas Schmidt
Darrell "Smitty" Thomas Schmidt died at home in Woodland Thursday, Sept. 23, 2004 at age 83.
Mr. Schmidt was born July 29, 1921 in Fortuna to the late Thomas and Mrytle Schmidt and had been a Yolo County resident for 26 years. He attended school in Fortuna and later served one year in the Merchant Marine during World War II and four years in the U.S. Navy as a Seabee (construction battalion). He was employed as a foreman in highway construction and was a member of the Masons and the Scottish Rites. He was an active member of the Woodland Presbyterian Church, a Boy Scout Leader, and a volunteer police officer.
Survivors include Mr. Schmidt's wife, Lola Schmidt also of Woodland; daughter Andrea Schmidt and her husband Dave McDonnell of San Juan Capistrano; his son Terry Schmidt and his wife Marilee of Dixon; grandson Eric Cawley of Vacaville, his sister Carol Kausen and her husband Fred of Fortuna, and numerous nieces and nephews, step grandchildren, and great-step grandchildren.
In addition to his parents, Mr. Schmidt is preceded in death by his sister Maxine Allen.
Memorials in Mr. Schmidt's name may be directed to Yolo Hospice P.O. Box 1014, Davis, 95617 or Woodland Presbyterian Church, 1324 Columbia Drive, Woodland, 95695.
Services: Visitation is scheduled for noon to 2 p.m. Monday, Sept. 27 at McNary's Chapel, 458 College St., Woodland. A memorial service is scheduled for 3 p.m. Monday, Sept. 27 at Woodland Presbyterian Church, 1324 Columbia Drive, Woodland. Interment is scheduled for 11 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 29 at Ocean View Cemetery, Eureka. McNary's Chapel of Woodland is assisting the family with arrangements.
SCHNEIDER
Carl A. Schneider
Carl A. Schneider passed away peacefully on Sunday, Dec. 14, 2003 at the age of 84, in his home west of Woodland, Ca.
He was born on his family farm near Woodland on Oct. 10, 1919.
He is survived by his loving wife Jane following 62 years of marriage.
Also surviving are his three children and spouses: Geneva Koebel of Woodland and husband Doug; Carl J. Schneider of Sacramento and wife Judy; Gerald Schneider of Riverbank and wife Jan; his grandchildren Sherrin Olswang and husband Tom, Kelly Tassone and husband Paul, Michele Bessette and husband Michael, Amy Elwell and husband Dave, Emily Lewis and husband Justin, Susie Abood and husband Ryan, Lindy Janssen and husband Rick and Tim Schneider. He is also survived by 10 great-grandchildren: Chelsi, Lauren, Brandon, Lisa, Erica, Jena, Olivia, Allison, Connor and Joseph. He was preceded in death by his parents Jacob and Ursula Schneider, his brothers Joseph, Harry and Frank; his sister Alice Ehrke and is survived by his sister Agnes Farnham of Auburn. He is also survived by many nephews and nieces.
He was a lifelong resident of Woodland devoted to family, community, church and farming. He attended Willow Oak Grammar School and graduated from Woodland High School with the class of '37. He was an outstanding football player in high school, enjoying a championship season in 1936 and was inducted into the Woodland Hall of Fame in 1978. He reputedly still holds the Woodland High School weight lifting record for sitting leg lifts at 1050 pounds. He ran the "chain gang" at high school football games for 20 years and was proud to be an alumni of Woodland High. He was always ready to lend a hand to better the athletic department. He also took an active part in Woodland High School's 100th anniversary celebration.
He was 21 years and 6 days old before the draft and had one of the lowest #'s drawn in the draft. Friends said to join them in the National Guard and they would serve their year together. It was during his service on July 5, 1941 that he marriage his high school sweetheart Jane Fitzgerald. He returned 4 years and 11 months after he first joined the National Guard, having participated in four Pacific island invasions during World War II. He received several citations including the bronze star. His National Guard unit was inducted into federal service on March 3, 1941. When he returned from the service he farmed with his brother Joe and cousin Bill Fricke as Schneider, Frickle & Schneider from 1946-1981 and enjoyed his retirement in the ranch home they lived in since 1946.
In the community he was a 4-H leader; Little League president, coach and umpire; Willow Oak volunteer fireman, coached Holy Rosary football for several years; community fund raiser for Church building, hospital and football stadium construction serving on the board of directors. He was active in the California Beet Growers Association and spent 20 years as a director in the California Tomato Growers Association spending three years as president. He was named Woodland's Agri-Businessman of the year in 1976. He served on several state boards and was always ready to help wherever he could for the betterment of the farming community. He was an avid hunter and enjoyed the family hunting trips. He loved to play cards; whether bridge, cribbage or pinochle, but was just as happy with fish or concentration with his great-grandchildren.
He was a member of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church, American Legion, Woodland Elks Club, Yolo Fliers Club, Knights of Columbus and Out of Sight. He particularly enjoyed his years of championship "pedro" card playing for the Knights of Columbus. He also enjoyed family and friends, gardening and golf. He loved people and enjoyed life most when his home was filled with family and friends.
Viewing/visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 19, with a vigil at 7 p.m. at Kraft Bros. Funeral Chapel. Services will be at Holy Rosary Church on Saturday, Dec. 20, at 11 a.m. followed by interment at Monument Hill.
Donations to a Scholarship Fund being established at Woodland High School in his name, Yolo County Hospice; Holy Rosary Church Building Fund; or the charity of the donor's choice are welcome.
Kraft Bros. Funeral Directors is assisting the family with arrangements.
SCHNEIDER
Judy Schneider
Longtime Davis resident Judy Schneider died March 15, 2005, in Davis. She was 78 years old.
A memorial service will begin at 1 p.m. Saturday, March 26, at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Davis, 27074 Patwin Road.
Born in Syracuse, N.Y., in 1926, she grew up in Hollywood where her mother worked for Universal Studios as an executive assistant and assistant producer. Her father was head of foreign film distribution at RKO.
When she was 5, while on a boat ride to Catalina Island with her mother, they became separated. Her mother was astonished to find her daughter dancing on the deck with fellow passenger Clark Gable. As a teenager, she baby-sat for neighbor Frank Sinatra's daughter, Nancy. She remembered Sinatra singing his baby daughter to sleep before departing for the evening.
She attended UCLA and graduated from UC Berkeley with a bachelor's degree in English in 1947. Following graduation, she worked in the advertising department of the Oakland Post Enquirer. She then worked for Robert Sproul, president of UC Berkeley, doing research and writing.
In 1950, she marriage Irving Robert Schneider, a plant virologist. They moved to Urbana, Ill., and then to Silver Spring, Md., where she was an active volunteer with the League of Women Voters and the Unitarian Universalist Church of Silver Spring. She worked for equal opportunity housing and, as a result of her opposition to the Vietnam War, participated in many anti-war marches with fellow members of the Unitarian Church.
She received a master's degree in library science from the University of Maryland in 1970. As part of her graduate school experience, she catalogued a rare book collection at the John Innes Institute in Norwich, England, a center for botanical research. She was a librarian at the National Parks and Conservation Association in Washington, D.C., and the Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission in Silver Spring.
Following her husband's retirement from the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Beltsville, Md., he was awarded a scientific research fellowship at UC Davis, where they moved in 1979. She volunteered in the library at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Davis and at the UC Davis Arboretum, where she worked as a docent. Giving tours of the section of California native plants was a favorite of hers. She received a volunteer of the year award in 1995 for her work in the Arboretum.
She was remembered as an accomplished seamstress who made many of her own skirts and dresses, as well as clothes for her husband and daughter. She also was described as an excellent cook. The family remembers her full talents being unleashed at Christmas, with homemade ornaments and decorations, as well as pannetone, biscotti, shortbread, pfefferneuse and stollen.
Her family says she enjoyed taking classes in folk dancing and exercise, and was an enthusiastic traveler. She often took continuing education courses in art history at UC Davis. Among her favorites was a class taught by Wayne Thiebaud. After her husband's death, she continued to travel, journeying to Japan, China, Costa Rica, the Galapagos, Italy and Turkey.
Following her diagnosis with atypical Parkinson's syndrome in 2000, she moved to the University Retirement Community, where she continued her interests through reading and impressed many with her intellectual curiosity, humor and interest in other people.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Irving Robert Schneider, in 1988.
She is survived by her daughter, Karen Schneider of Washington, D.C.; and a brother, Del Reisman of Los Angeles.
Contributions in her memory can be made to Yolo Hospice and the UC Davis Arboretum.
SCHNEIDER
Wanda R. Schneider
Wanda Reed Schneider died May 8, 2000, in her Davis home with her husband at her side. She was 66 and had been battling cancer for 4 1/2 years.
She was born Jan. 12, 1934, the youngest of 11 children in a farming family in Iowa. Her greatest pleasure in life came from taking care of her family, which she did with enormous energy and love.
A graduate of Iowa Methodist School of Nursing, Wanda greatly enjoyed her 40-year nursing career in pediatrics, geriatrics and general medicine. Her other pleasures included gardening and quilting.
She lived in Sunnyvale for 27 years and Davis for the last 14 years.
Her parents and three sisters preceded her in death.
She is survived by her husband of 43 years, Robert; two daughters, Cindy Schneider of Davis and Stephanie Schneider (Schaeffer) of Mountain View; son-in-law, Dan Schaeffer; two grandchildren, Briannon and Rylan Schaeffer; and four sisters and three brothers, including her twin.
The family will gather to mourn her passing and celebrate her life at a private memorial service.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society.
SCHOCH
Charles Edward "Chuck" Schoch
Charles E. "Chuck" Schoch died at Sutter Davis Hospital on Monday, Oct. 17, 2005 at age 76.
Mr. Schoch was born May 8, 1929 in Cincinnati, Ohio to William J. and Bertha M. (Myer) Schoch.
He had been a Yolo County resident for 30 years.
He joined the U.S. Air Force after high school and served for more than 20 years, serving continuously through the Korean Conflict and the Vietnam War. He served at various military bases from New Jersey to Nevada and the Military Airlift Command at Travis Air Force Base. After active duty, he served with the Air Force Reserve unit. During his tour of duty, he earned the Marksman and Expert Rifleman medals, the Air Force Longevity Service Award with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Air Force Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Outstanding Unit Award, the Presidential Unit Citation, the Armed Forces Occupation Medal, the Asian Pacific Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal and the Vietnam Service Medal. After his retirement, he graduated from American River College and was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Yolo County, the American Legion and the Eagles Lodge.
Survivors include Mr. Schoch's daughter, Susan Shaw and her husband Bill of Sacramento; his sons, Charles E. Schoch Jr. and his wife May of Sacramento, Steve Schoch and his wife Terrie of Calapatria, Jeff Schoch and his wife Carol and David Schoch and his wife Jodi, all of Woodland, Robert Allan Schoch and his wife Kristina of Washington, D.C.; his grandchildren, Jonathan and Katie Schoch of Sacramento, Ethan and Jeremy Schoch of Calapatria, Matthew, Noah, Jacob and Katlin Schoch of Woodland and Abigail and Peyton Allan Schoch of Washington, D.C.
The family requests memorials in Mr. Schoch's name be directed to American Heart Association, 1710 Gilbreth Road, Burlingame, 94010; or the Disabled American Veterans, P.O. Box 14301, Cincinnati, Ohio 45250.
Services: Visitation is scheduled from 4 to 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 21 at Kraft Bros. Chapel, 175 Second St., Woodland. A rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. Friday. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 22, at Holy Rosary Catholic Church, 301 Walnut St., Woodland. Interment will follow at Monument Hill Memorial Park with full military honors. Deacon Ed Kull is officiating. Kraft Bros. Funeral Directors is assisting the family with arrangements.
SCHOENTGES
Wilhelmine M. Schoentges
Wilhelmine M. Schoentges died April 28, 2003, at Queen of the Valley Hospital in Napa. Born in Germany on Jan. 10, 1927, to Hans and Hedwig Neyer, she was 76 years old.
She and her husband, Kurt, owned and operated Continental Foods in Davis, a food store and delicatessen that specialized in imported foods from Europe. In their 38 years in Davis they became well-known in the community.
She is survived by her husband, Kurt of Napa; son, Robert Schoentges of Woodland; daughter, Petra Schoentges of Oakland; brother, Hans Neyer of Germany; and two grandchildren, Brandon Watson and Kurtis Schoentges.
At her request, no services will be held.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Claffey and Rota Funeral Home in Napa.
