Allan William Schneider, 89, of New Athens, IL, born August 4, 1922, in Lenzburg, IL, passed away Sunday, March 25, 2012 at his home.
Allan graduated from New Athens Unit #60 and attended SIU Carbondale for 2 years before enlisting in the Air Force flying cadets. He was a Captain and served as a WW2 Night Fighter pilot flying the British Bristol Beaufighter and the US P-61 Black Widow. He was recalled during the Korean War and flew P-51’s training forward controllers. He served with the Air Force Reserves at Scott AFB IL for several years. He worked for Peabody Coal Company and then returned to school to finish his BS degree in Social Studies and also received his MS degree in Earth Science. He taught school at Belleville Township East High School, Social Studies Department, for 21 years before retiring. Allan was a charter member of St. Paul Lutheran Church and served as Treasurer and as an Elder for many years. He was also a volunteer fireman, member of the New Athens Sportsmen Club, and member of the WW II Nightfighters Association.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Peter J. and Adelia, nee Eckert, Schneider; his wife, Doris, nee Bradley, Schneider who passed away Feb 17, 2007; two brothers, Peter and Harold Schneider; two sisters, Ruth Rieso and Wilma Jaekal; four sisters-in-law, Ruth Schneider, Monica Schneider, Mary Lou Staffey, Erma Bradley; eight brothers-in-law, Earl Rieso, Henry Jaekal, Barney Bradley, Bill Bradley, Clarence Bradley, Pete Tucker, and Jim Bilderback and Sam Staffey.
Surviving are his daughter, Phyllis (Dennis), nee Schneider, Eggemeyer of New Athens; granddaughters, Jennifer L. (Dennis) Quillman of Coulterville, IL, Dana R. (John) Hoock of Fults, IL; great grandchildren, Derek A. Neville, Alysha M. Neville, Dennis Quillman, III, Lea E. Hoock, and Ava C. Hoock; one brother, Virgil (Darlene) Schneider of New Athens; four sisters-in-law, Janet Bilderback of Ava, IL, Virginia Tucker of Murphysboro, IL, Rosalie Bradley of Sparta, IL, and Joan (Jim) Burk of New Athens; two brothers-in-law, Boone (Cathy) Bradley of La Harpe, IL, and Joe (Cindy) Bradley of Marion, IL, along with many nieces, nephews, and special friends.
Memorials may be made to the Schneider Cemetery Fund, St. Paul Lutheran Church, New Athens, IL, Hospice of Southern Illinois, or Christian HomeCare Services, Inc., Lebanon, IL.
Visitation: Friends may call from 5-8 pm on Wednesday, March 28, 2012 at Heil-Schuessler Funeral Home, New Athens, IL, and from 9:00 to 10:00 on Thursday, March 29, 2012 at St. Paul Lutheran Church, New Athens, IL.
Funeral: Services will be held at St. Paul Lutheran Church, New Athens, IL, on Thursday, March 29, 2012, at 10:00 with Pastor John Lukomski officiating. Burial will be in the Schneider Cemetery, New Athens, IL
Phyllis,
We are very sorry to hear about your dad. We will not be able to make it to either the visitation or the funeral, but you are in our thoughts at this time. I remember the time your dad, Uncle Bill, Craig, and Keith visited us in La Harpe, and we went fishing. We caught lots and lots of fish. Once again, we are very sorry for your loss.
Judy Stevenson and family
Posted by: Boone and Kathy Bradley, Jeff and Judy Stevenson and family – La Harpe and Nauvoo, IL – brother-in-law and niece Mar 28, 2012