George P. Schneider Jr.

April 4, 1926 - May 4, 2013

George Paul Schneider, 87, a lifelong resident of Horicon, passed away on May 4, 2013, following a long illness. In his own words, he had a long and happy life.

He was born on April 4, 1926 to Ernst and Leona (nee Mueller) Schneider and attended Horicon public schools until he graduated from Horicon High School in 1944. Immediately following graduation, he was inducted into the US Navy and served on the USNS Mission Purisima in the Pacific. After his service in World War II, he returned to Horicon and eventually joined the family business, Schneider”s Shoe Store, which had opened in 1909. He worked there with his father until Ernst retired and continued to run the business until it closed in 1986. He later worked as a groundskeeper at Rock River Hills Golf Club for several years.

In 1949 he married Margaret Seidensticker of Ashippun, WI, and they remained happily together until her death in 2012. They had three daughters, Peggy, Jenny, and Patricia, and also became “foster parents” to a foreign exchange student, Mikiko “Miki” Matsumoto.

Starting in his school years, he played many different sports. His daughters remember going to watch him play softball for many years with the team sponsored by the Bob Young Flooring Company (BYCO). Once his playing days were over, he umpired for many seasons. For many years he had Packer season tickets and had always been a diehard Green Bay fan, but he also loved both the Milwaukee Braves and the Brewers. He and Margaret were original stockholders in Rock River Hills Golf Club and he played innumerable rounds of golf on their course. George was a long-time member of a men”s bridge league in Horicon and enjoyed teaming up with his bridge partner in their annual attempt to win the league championship but he was equally happy to beat everybody at any game of cards.

He loved Horicon, and along with being a member of the Chamber of Commerce, he also served as Chairman of the Park Board. An active member of Post 157 of The American Legion, he took part in many veterans” funerals as a member of the honor guard. He was also very involved with St. Stephen”s Lutheran Church, and served on their school board, as treasurer, and as president of the congregation. With the exception of his years of Navy service, he always lived within a few blocks of the house on North Hubbard Street where he was born. Until his death, he continuously lived in the house he and Margaret had built in 1956.

George was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Margaret; his sisters Marie, Irene, and Ruth; his brother William; a son-in-law, Daniel Steele; and several sisters- and brothers-in-law. Survivors include his daughters Peggy of Milwaukee; Jenny (Randall Waller) of Arlington, TX; Patricia (Robert F. Bettler Jr.) of Louisville, KY; and Mikiko Matsumoto of Tokyo, Japan; grandsons Daniel and Eric Steele of Arlington; and granddaughter Tess Bettler of Louisville. He will also be remembered fondly by many nieces and nephews, friends, neighbors, and fellow citizens of Horicon.

Visitation will be on Wednesday, May 8, from 10 AM until noon at St. Stephen”s Lutheran Church, 505 North Palmatory Street, Horicon. A funeral service will follow at noon with interment next to Margaret at Oak Hill Cemetery immediately following. Memorials can be made to St. Stephen”s Church or to The Parkinson”s Disease Foundation.

His daughters would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who have helped their father during his battle with Parkinson”s Disease, especially since Margaret”s death. Although the list is very long, they especially want to mention his principal caregivers Janice and Karen along with the staff of Hillside Home Care and Hospice of Beaver Dam.

The Murray Funeral Home, 716 Clinton Street in Horicon, is caring for the family. To leave condolences, for directions, or for other information, please visit our website at www.MurrayFH.com.

Visitation Details

Wednesday, May 8th, 2013, 10:00am – 12:00pm, St. Stephen Ev. Lutheran Church-Horicon

Service Details

Wednesday, May 8th, 2013, 12:00pm, St. Stephen Ev. Lutheran Church-Horicon

Interment Details

Oak Hill Cemetery-Horicon

George Paul Schneider, 87, a lifelong resident of Horicon, passed away on May 4, 2013, following a long illness. In his own words, he had a long and happy life. He was born on April 4, 1926 to Ernst and Leona (nee Mueller) Schneider and attended Horicon public schools until he graduated from Horicon HighContinue Reading

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So sorry to hear about George''s passing; losing parents is never easy! The memories become that more precious! My memories go back a LONG time! He could always make me laugh and had a kind word every time I saw him, even when we came back to visit Horicon! Our sympathy to all of you! Find peace knowing they are in the most perfect of all places!

He played short center field on the softball team my dad sponsored. We always got our shoes at his store. We called him "Uncle George". He always called me "Slugger". I liked that. He played short center field on the softball team my dad sponsored. We always got our shoes at his store. We called him Uncle George. He called me "Slugger". I lliked that. The last time i saw him was at Boyd Rohde''s memorial service.Please accept my condolences. p.s. My computer skills are primitive. I hope this gets through in some form or other.

Our deepest sympathy and heartfelt condolences go out to the family. In our family , you couldn''t say George without saying Margaret as in we are going to George and Margaret''s house. We all loved going to Horicon. We enjoyed so many good times. The pool, picnics, "Marsh Days" and of course the best thing ever, rolling down the hill in the back yard with Peggy, Jenny and Patricia. I remember in high school playing a baseball game against Wayland Academy and stopping in Horicon on the way back to watch Uncle George play softball. As a small child I remember George''s big stature and "booming" voice. He always made us feel welcomed and loved. George always made sure we were taken care of and having fun. He always had a handful of tickets for us to the carnival down at the park after the "Marsh Days" parade. I was extremely proud that my three sons also had a chance to grow up with Uncle George and Aunt Margaret. We love you Uncle George. May the Dear Lord cradle you and Aunt Margaret in His arms and grant you both the peace and serenity you truly deserve. From Patrick W. French & Family

Peace of mind is a call away. We’re here when you need us most.

I am so sad to lose my "another" father, whom I dearly loved. I will never forget his speech at his golden anniversary, in which he said that the year that I spent with him and his family was the best year in his life. I dearly love him, and will always do so. Thank you for everything, Dad. Give my best regards to Mom.

We are sorry to hear of your dad''s passing. It is always tough to lose a parent. He was a fun man. We have had liked to attend the wake/funeral but will be out of town. Would have liked to have seen Jenny. Our deepest condolences to the whole family.

Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.