Schanz, Willard Gavis
Birth
Willard Gaviss Schanz was born December 2, 1929 in Middleburgh, the son of Vernon George Schanz (30 JAN 1902 - 4 JUL 1979) and Mildred Josephine Proper (28 APR 1905 - 1 SEP 1995). His siblings were:[1]
- Elaine Schanz (Private - )- Elaine Wilson;
- Vernon George Schanz (Private - )
- Leonard Laverne Schanz (Private - )
- Inez Mae Schanz (Private - ) Inez Keppler
- Melvin Schanz (19 OCT 1926 - BEF 1995)
Education
Military
Willard Schanz served in the United States Army as a tank commander during the Korean War.
Occupation
Marriage & Children
Willard Gavis Schanz married on August 7, 1954, Mavis Ada Becker (June 7, 1933 - ). Their children were:[1]
- Deborah June Schanz - Debbie Schanz and Steve Baker of Knox
- Duncan Willard Schanz - Duncan W. Schanz and his wife, Susan, of Knox
- Dean Byron Schanz - Dean Schanz and his wife, Dawn, of Knox
- Darlene Frances Schanz - Darlene Kneebone and her husband, Ned, of Corinth
- Denise Mavis Schanz - Denise Eardley of Westerlo
- Dorian Lisa Schanz - Dorie Cameron and her husband, Mark, of Westerlo
- Dennis Omer Schanz - Dennis Schanz of East Berne
Death
Willard G. Schanz, a farmer and a family man, died unexpectedly on Wednesday, May 7, 2008 at Ellis Hospital in Schenectady. He was 78.
Obituary
Willard G. Schanz
BERNE — Willard G. Schanz, a farmer and a family man, died unexpectedly on Wednesday, May 7, 2008 at Ellis Hospital in Schenectady. He was 78. "Willard was a man of few words; Mavis, his children and grandchildren were the love of his life," his family wrote in a tribute.
Born in Middleburgh, he was the son of the late Vernon and Mildred Schanz.
He served in the United States Army as a tank commander during the Korean War.
He was a self-employed farmer and later in life became a general carpenter. He was a member of the Foxenkill Grange and the Hiawatha Grange, a charter member of the East Berne Fire Company, a member of the Mayfield Service Men's Club, and past constable of the Town of Berne.
He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Mavis Becker Schanz; his children, Debbie Schanz and Steve Baker of Knox, Duncan W. Schanz and his wife, Susan, of Knox, Dean Schanz and his wife, Dawn, of Knox, Darlene Kneebone and her husband, Ned, of Corinth, Denise Eardley of Westerlo, Dorie Cameron and her husband, Mark, of Westerlo, and Dennis Schanz of East Berne; his brothers, Vernon Schanz Jr. and Leonard Schanz; his sisters, Inez Keppler and Elaine Wilson; 15 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
His brother, Melvin Schanz, died before him as did a son-in-law, Stanley Eardley, and a grandson, Brandon W. Kneebone.
A funeral service was held on Saturday at the First Baptist Church of Westerlo.
Arrangements are by Fredendall Funeral Home of Altamont. Memorial contributions may be made to the Friends of the Berne Library Fund, Post Office Box 42, Berne, NY 12023
- Altamont Enterprise — May 15, 2008
Additional Media
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