JAMES SCHNEIDER
October 08, 1949 - June 22, 2023
Obituary
James Francis Schneider, 73, passed away surrounded by his family on June 22, 2023. Jim “Dog” was born on October 8, 1949, to Frank and Anne (Van Zeeland) Schneider in Appleton, WI. After graduating from Kaukauna High School in 1968, he worked for Gabe Construction before enlisting in the US Navy where he served his country with honor in both Vietnam and the Middle East as a helicopter crew chief aboard the USS Detroit.
After completing his service, Jim returned home to assist his family with the High Cliff Golf Course and Restaurant. He worked for Neenah Foundry for several years before joining Wisconsin Tissue Mills (later SCA Tissue) where he worked until his retirement in 2012.
On April 23, 1971, Jim married the love of his life, Kathleen Seidling, in Menasha, WI. They raised their children in Greenville before spending some years in Flagstaff, Arizona and eventually settling back in Neenah. Jim and Kathy recently celebrated 52 years of marriage.
Jim's love for the outdoors was evident in his ever-present farmer's tan and closet full of camo. In retirement, Jim and Kathy spent much of their time at their cabin outside Ogdensburg, WI where Jim focused on improving the land for future generations of his family to enjoy. Throughout his life, Jim found his greatest joy chasing whitetails, “whackin' walleyes,” “poundin' perch” or calling in strutting tom turkeys.
Jim was a man who often made quick friends out of strangers, as he was a gifted storyteller. Those closest to him often joked about how these stories seemed to grow taller with each telling.
Jim is survived by his beloved wife, Kathleen (Seidling) Schneider; son Chad (Tammy) Schneider; two daughters: Nicole (Lance) Hoier and Jodi (Kyle) Cecil; nine grandchildren: Logan and Braeden Schneider, Adelyn and Breanna Hoier, Behrett and Weston Cecil, Brittany Schmidt, Samantha (Cullen) Bryla, and Aliyah Schmidt: and great grandson Callum Bryla. He is further survived by his siblings, Warren (Linda) Schneider, Fay (Tom) Goff, Jerome (Lorrie) Schneider, Lynda (Jim) Schlender, Roy (Mary) Schneider and Donald (Brenda) Schneider; his siblings-in-law, and many nieces and nephews. Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Ann Schneider; his parents-in-law, Richard and Margaret Seidling; brother-in-law Tim Seidling; as well as his best friend, Phil Eversole.
A celebration of life for Jim will be held on Friday June 30 at Westgor Funeral Home, Neenah. Visitation will be held from 11:00 AM until 1:00 PM with a memorial service to begin at 1:00 PM and military honors to follow. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make donations to the Alzheimer's Association in Jim's name.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to Dr. Kimberly Berg, Dion Otten from Home Instead, Dr. Diane Keuhl, Jolene from ThedaCare Hospice, and all of the nurses from the 5th floor at ThedaCare Regional Medical Center in Neenah. Thank you for the love and compassion that you showed for Jim and our family during his last days.