Wilbert Eugene Schneider

Wilbert Eugene Schneider was born on February 3rd, 1936 in Thorndale, Texas to Ernest and Amelia Lehman Schneider and died on September 12th, 2020.  He was one of six boys.  He was baptized at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Thorndale on February 23rd, 1936 and confirmed there on April 2nd, 1950 by Reverend F.H. Stelzer.  He attended St. Paul Lutheran School and then Thorndale High School.  He grew up on a farm and after his schooling, he worked in Austin before enlisting in the U.S. Army.  He proudly served his country from 1958 to 1961.

Wilbert loved music and taught himself to play the fiddle, banjo, and other instruments.  While still in the military, he married Jeanette Granzin on October 4th, 1959 at St. John Lutheran Church in Thrall.  While stationed in La Plate, Maryland, he received orders for overseas duties.  He was stationed in Africa and then Iran.  After his military service, he worked for Superior Dairies before beginning work with General Dynamics in Fort Worth.  After leaving Forth Worth, he transitioned to a job with Pharis Alarms before deciding to start his own alarm company.  After a period of time spent working with his own small business, he started a career with the Austin Postal Service, from which he retired after 25 years of service.

Wilbert moved his family to Elgin in 1975, where He enjoyed ranching and gardening. Wilbert continued to play fiddle, played in a band, and always enjoyed competing in fiddling contests.  Wilbert also loved playing cards and played in several scot tournaments.

Wilbert’s family was the center of his world.  He shared his loves of music, hunting/fishing, dominoes, and football with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.  He was always quick with a story, a lesson, or sound advice steeped in a lifetime of experiences.  Wilbert’s faith in his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, was evidenced in the way he lived his life and through time spent serving his local congregations as both an usher and a councilman.  He was a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Elgin.

Wilbert was preceded in death by his parents, his four brothers: Elmo, Howard, Reinhard, and Leroy Schneider, and his granddaughter’s husband, James Mangum.

He is survived by his wife, Jeanette Schneider with whom he shared over 60 years of marriage and was blessed with four wonderful children: three sons, Danny and wife Teresa, Darin and wife Regina, Robbie and wife Michael, and one daughter, Brinda and husband Bruce Staton.  Eleven grandchildren and nineteen great-grandchildren (with the twentieth expected any day).  One brother Ernest Schneider and wife Darcy.  Sister-in-laws Evelyn Felfe, Margie Schneider, and Eileen Schneider, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

A visitation will be held 5:00-7:00 PM Monday, September 14, 2020, Providence-JOnes Family Funeral Home. A Celebration of Wilbert's Life will be held 10:00 AM Tuesday, September 15, 2020, Grace Lutheran Church. Interment will follow in the Elgin Cemetery.

Memorial gifts in Wilbert’s honor may be made to either Grace Lutheran Church, 801 W. 11th St, Elgin, Texas 78624, the Alzheimer’s Association, or charity of your choice.