Howard F. Schneiter

PORTAGE – Howard F. Schneiter, age 99, of Portage, passed away quietly after spending time with his family, surrounded in love.

After his daughter, Peggy J. Lavold, passed away on January 24, 2025, he wanted to join her and his beloved wife, Jean, and his son, Glenn.

He is survived by his son, Gerald (Mary Ann) Schneiter; son-in-law, Donald Steve Lavold; grandsons, Jonathan (Andrea) Schneiter, Matthew (Nicole) Lavold, Adam (Ann) Lavold, Micheal (Allison) Lavold; great grandchildren, Ashley, Lylah, and Kennedy Schneiter, Drew, Mason, Gabe, Ian, Reid, Conner, and Kyle Lavold; and other relatives and many friends.

Howard was preceded in death by his parents, August and Lydia Schneiter; wife, Dolores “Jean”; brother, Eugene (Mary Ellen) Schneiter; sister, Joyce (Glenn) Anderson; son, Glenn Howard Schneiter (on November 11, 2023); daughter, Peggy Jean Lavold (on January 24, 2025).

On November 19, 1925, Howard was born to August and Lydia (Holtz) Schneiter in Lomira, Wisconsin. He graduated from Fond du Lac High School, in 1943, and then served in WWII as a Radioman 2nd Class, in the Navy Reserves, stationed in Hawaii from 1943 to 1946. Howard then returned home to Lomira and married Dolores “Jean” Unferth on November 1, 1947.

Howard and Jean enjoyed traveling through all 50 states, plus, Switzerland, Italy, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Dominican Republic, and many cruises, including the Panama Canal.  He enjoyed golfing at the Portage County Club, where he had his only hole-in-one. Howard also enjoyed sports, like UW football and basketball, along with the Green Bay Packers. He played many sports while in high school, in Lomira, Wisconsin. He worked for Wisconsin Power and Light from 1947 until his retirement in 1987.  Howard was a member of the Fort Winnebago Masonic Lodge #33 for 70 years, the Portage American Legion Post 47, the Portage Presbyterian Church, and the Portage Country Club.

A memorial service will be held at Portage Presbyterian Church in Portage, Wisconsin, at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 8, 2025, with Rev. David Hankins officiating. Portage Area Veterans Honor Guard will perform Military Honors. Inurnment will be private at Ledgeview Memorial Park, Fond du Lac. Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. on Saturday at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Portage Presbyterian Church or to the family.

The family would like to thank the staff at Heritage House, Columbia County Health Services, and Heartland Hospice for their love, support, and care.

The Pflanz Mendrala Funeral Home, in Portage, is assisting the family.