Edward "Ned" Frederick Schnacke

Surrounded by love, Edward “Ned” Frederick Schnacke, 75, of Blue Ridge, Georgia, passed away peacefully in the presence of his loving wife, Martha, and four daughters, on Thursday September 7, 2023. He was born in Evansville, Indiana on May 8, 1948 to Ruth and Bernard Schnacke.

Ned attended Trinity Lutheran School where his love of basketball began. Attending Harrison High School, Ned played varsity basketball under Coach Frank Schwitz. It was also at Harrison High School where he found another new love, this time in the form of his high school sweetheart, Martha (Gudgel) Schnacke, his wife and best friend of 54 years. Ned continued his basketball career at Valparaiso University under the great coach Gene Bartow. He completed his college education, and graduated from the University of Evansville. Married on December 20, 1969, Martha and Ned started their new life together in Indianapolis, Indiana. Later they returned to Evansville where they shared a full life raising their four daughters. Evansville is also where Ned began his lifelong career as a food broker, establishing his own warehousing business.

The thing that brought Ned the most joy was being with his family. He treasured time together and this was evident as he faithfully followed and encouraged the sports and activities of his own children, and eventually his 12 grandchildren, by always being their biggest cheerleader. He was a larger than life figure to his family, and he will be missed for his quick wit, his love of country, strong friendships, and faith. Ned is a former member of First Presbyterian Church, Evansville, and most recently, Trinity Presbyterian Church, Fairhope, Alabama, where he served as an elder.

After many great years in Indiana, Ned and Martha retired to the Gulf Coast where they enjoyed spending their time together making houses into homes in Pensacola, Florida; Fairhope, Alabama; Memphis, Tennessee; Point Clear, Alabama; and most recently, their peaceful retreat in the mountains of Blue Ridge, Georgia.

Ned is preceded in death by his sister Barbara Schnacke, and his parents Ruth (Bosse) Schnacke and Bernard Schnacke.

He is survived by his wife, Martha, of Blue Ridge, Georgia and his four daughters: Courtney (Jason) Sasse of Fort Wayne, Indiana; Kiersten (Elisabeth Buckner) Schnacke of Memphis, Tennessee; Whitney (Alex) Mounts of Indianapolis, Indiana; and Hattie (Chad) Rounder of Memphis, Tennessee; Brother, Stephen (Phyllis) Schnacke of Bowling Green, Kentucky; and Sister, Suzanne Schnacke of Newburgh, Indiana. He is also survived by 12 grandchildren: Elizabeth, Maddie Mae, Henry, and Lola Sasse; Poppy Virginia Schnacke; Eleanor, Augusta, Ford, and Martha Jane Mounts; Lucy Belle, Sterling, and Tilden Edward Rounder. He was also a fun-loving uncle to many nieces and nephews.

Family and friends are invited to visit with the family from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 13, 2023 with a Celebration of Life Service to follow at 5:00 p.m. Visitation and service will be held at Alexander East Chapel, 2115 Lincoln Avenue, Evansville, Indiana. The Celebration of Life will be livestreamed at www.facebook.com/funeralstreamUSA beginning at 4:45 p.m.

Condolences may be offered at www.AlexanderEastChapel.com.