On August 10, 2013, John Albert Schnieders, Jr., age 103, peacefully left this earth, happy with a well-lived life. John was born to John Albert Schnieders, Sr., and Lena Sudmeier Schnieders, on November 17, 1909, the fifth of eleven children in Dyersville, Iowa.
John arrived in Los Angeles on August 13, 1924, with his father and mother, four brothers, and four sisters. He was the last surviving sibling, and was predeceased by his brothers Edmund F. Schnieders, Sr., Ambrose B. Schnieders, Gilbert A. Schnieders, Msgr. Joseph G. Schnieders, and his sisters, Isabelle McCarthy, Esther Lieb, Lucille Schnieders, Helen Hamacher, and two brothers, Donald and Clarence, who died in infancy.
John was a graduate of Loyola High School, class of 1927, and Loyola College (now Loyola Marymount University), class of 1931. John spent his professional career in the grocery industry, working for Spartan Grocers for 45 years. He began his career at Spartan Grocers as an office clerk and rose to the position of Senior Vice President and General Manager when he retired in 1974. John was involved in many food industry activities, primarily the Southern California Grocers Association. He gave countless hours to many charitable organizations, including The City of Hope Town Fair Bazaar, The National Conference of Christians and Jews, Manresa Retreat House Annual Fundraising Dinner, The Food Industry Men’s Retreat at Manresa, St. John of God Hospital Mid-Winter Dinner, and Ramona Convent Father’s Club. John was an active member of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church in Newport Beach for over 30 years where he was a Eucharistic Minister, a Lector, a daily communicant, and he participated in the daily Rosary. John was also a member of The Knights of Columbus.
John was predeceased by two wives: Marie Olhasso Schnieders, in 2011, to whom he was married for 31 years; and his first wife, Annie Blair King Schnieders, in 1977, to whom he was married for 36 years. John was the treasured and loved father of JoAnn (Robert) Wilber, Susan Schnieders, and Martha Charchenko. He was the adored grandfather of Michael (Tina) Wilber, Christine (Joe) Dondalski, Carolyn (Kreslake), Mary (Michael) Hoon, John (Ellie) Wilber, Jeff McAndrews and his partner Kevin Feeley, Timothy (Suzanne) McAndrews, Amy (Rob) Walters, Caroline McAndrews (Mark Mainland), Bryce (Courtney) Charchenko, and Kevin Charchenko. He is also survived by five step-children: Steve McLoughlin, Mike McLoughlin, Ann Selmi, Marylin Rosales, Joe McLoughlin, and their spouses; 24 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews in California, Hawaii, Oregon, and Louisiana. The lives of John’s family and friends were enriched beyond measure by his remarkable thoughtfulness and generosity.
The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 AM Friday, August 16, 2013 at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church, 1441 West Balboa Blvd., Newport Beach.
In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate contributions to Loyola High School, Los Angeles, or Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles.
