Ernest E. Schneider, 87, Belfield, died Friday, June 8, 2012 at his home surrounded by his family. Ernie’s Mass of Christian Burial will be at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church, Belfield, with Fr. Shannon Lucht as the celebrant. Interment will follow at St. Bernard’s Cemetery. Military honors will be provided by the Belfield American Legion William C. Blair Post #144. Visitation will be on Tuesday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Ladbury Funeral Service, and will continue at the church from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., with a rosary & vigil at 7 p.m. Visitation will also be one hour prior to services at the church on Wednesday.
Ernie was born June 1, 1925 to Nick H. and Mary (Bleth) Schneider. His parents were very influential in his life. His mother taught him to always keep God in his life, and his father taught him to think positive and move forward in life. He graduated from Belfield High School in 1943. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy during World War II and was medically discharged in 1944.
He worked in the shipyards in Tacoma, Wash. with his Uncle Tony then moved back to Belfield and drove gas truck for his dad and another uncle until 1950. He joined the ND National Guard and was activated during the Korean War. He was stationed in Alabama and was honorably discharged in May 1952 as a Sergeant First Class. He returned to Belfield and worked for his father and uncle at McGarvey & Schneider Chevrolet as a parts manager until his dad retired. He attended the Chevrolet Post Graduate School of Modern Merchandising and Management in Detroit, Mich. and earned his diploma. Through the years he earned many awards for his parts department. He served as co-president, with his brother Bob, for Schneider Chevrolet until he retired in 1984.
Ernie married Victoria Piotrowski on November 3, 1954 at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church. They made Belfield their home and raised eight children. He was a strong man and showed that strength in how he survived tragedies in his life, including the deaths of two of his daughters, a fire that took their home, and the pain he suffered from emphysema.
He was an active member of the Belfield community. He served as a volunteer fireman and ambulance driver; was on the park board, Chamber of Commerce, Stark County Housing Board, and St. Bernard’s School Board; and belonged to the Knights of Columbus, American Legion, and ND Conference of Churches. He was head coach for the St. Bernard’s elementary school basketball team for years. He was most proud when his team brought home the Sportsmanship award because he valued this above everything else he taught his players. One of his proudest achievements was the Belfield Pavilion, for which he served as chairman of the building committee. He provided a service to his church community by driving the priest and mass servers to the cemetery during funeral services for 34 years.
Ernie cherished his life with Vicki and their children. One experience he enjoyed was attending a salute to Senator Mark Andrews with his daughter Missi where President Ronald Reagan was the main speaker. He loved playing cards and looked forward to family and friends stopping by to play pinochle and cribbage. Family gatherings frequently involved three generations playing pinochle, which he often won, partly because he wouldn’t let anyone else take the bid. In recent years, he spent time with his dog Mya lying by his side or sitting at his feet.
He is survived by his wife Vicki of 57 years, six of his children; Terry (Suzy), Phoenix, Ariz., Sheri (Terry Holt), Dickinson, Charles (Laurie), Riverside, Calif., David (Shari), Highland, Calif., Becki (Rick) McConnachie, Bismarck, and Missi (Jon) Haag, Dickinson; 13 grandchildren; Ean (Dana Braun) Stefan, JaeLynn, Dawson, Mason and Emily Schneider, Jayden Ewoniuk, Kristopher, Daniel (Lauren), Torina, and Jennifer McConnachie, Jason (Mary) VanHouton and Sierra Haag; one great grandchild, Hudson McConnachie; his sister-in-law, Ann Schneider; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and in laws.
He was preceded in death by his parents; daughters, Lynn Marie and Nikole; brother, Bob; sister, Alice Kelly; granddaughter, Corina McConnachie; in-laws, Charles and Josephine Piotrowski; grandson Preston VanHouton; brothers-in-law, Irving Henke, Ed Feininger, Wilfred Kelly, Joe and Johnny Piotrowski, Emil Cerkony, Max Palaniuk, and sisters-in-law Marie Cerkony and Barbara Lawrence.
