Donald Bert Schneider

Donald was born on September 26, 1922 in San Diego, California to Bert Schneider and Pansy Schunemann Schneider. He spent most of his life in southern California and had a natural affinity with the ocean. While in high school he was recruited by the US Navy and joined the armed forces. Through testing he was able to join the pilot training program. Here he excelled as a pilot and flew a number of fighters as they were developed for the war efforts including Torpedo and Dive Bombers, Hellcats and his personal favorite the Dauntless Dive Bomber. He was trained to be part of the flight team off the air craft carriers. Following his training in Corpus Christi, Texas, he was stationed in Oahu, Hawaii.

Donald married Bonnie O’Reilly on August 7, 1965 in San Diego, California. They moved to Longmont in 2002 from San Diego.

Following his military duty, he returned to San Diego and began numerous enterprises. He owned and operated a wholesale bait business, providing bait to area bait and tackle shops. He also started a thriving business at Salton Sea, California, operating a boat rental and bait shop there in the thriving times of the area. He and his wife bought and operated the Balls Ferry Fishing Resort, in Anderson, California. There they owned a number of small cottages and leased spaces for campers and fishermen. In addition, they were fishing guides on the Sacramento River.

Preceding him in death were two sisters Verna Kirkman and Caryne McClellan; a brother Frank Schneider and daughter Kathy Moreles

Surviving are his wife of Longmont; daughters Patty (Dave) Beumer of Longmont; Shirleen Little of San Diego; and Joanne (Donald) Price of Modesto, California; 5 grandchildren: Dawn (Tim) Cumrine, Robin (Keith) Baker, Danny (Leslie) Saler, Jeremy (April) Beumer and Ginger (Sean) Tanner and 12 great grandchildren: Hannah Baker, Samuel Baker, Lucie Blessing, Kate Oertel, Leah Saler, Tyler Stark, Allen Rossman, Lane Beumer, Brian Beumer, Annalyce Tanner, Jayme Lawrence and Josh Lawrence.

Visitation hours will be from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, April 14 at the Howe Mortuary Chapel.

Service will immediately follow at 10:30 a.m. Interment will be held at Ft. Logan National Cemetery, with the United States Navy officiating.

Contributions may be made to the Muscular Dystrophy Association, 720 S. Colorado Blvd, Suite #380-S, Denver, CO 80246.