Schneider

Ernest R. Schneider passed away peacefully in his home in Rockdale on the morning of Feb. 21, 2019. He was 90 years old.

Funeral services were held Saturday, Feb. 23, at Phillips & Luckey Funeral Home in Rockdale. Visitation was Saturday before the service from 12-noon until 2 p.m. Internment was in Murray Cemetery.

Ernest “Papaw” Schneider is lovingly remembered by his wife, Vernell Schneider; and children, Myron Schneider and wife Patti, Joan Love, Sandra Drake and husband Tom, and son-in law, Waylon Allen.

He will be remembered fondly by his 12 grandchildren, D’Ann, Cne’, Ty, Erika, Jack, Blake, Trish, Dan, Paige, Mark, Duke, Victoria, and by his brother Lawrence Schneider and wife Pat, and by his great-grandchildren, Nick, Emily, Elizabeth, Braydon, June, Abram, Ezra, Heidi, Jubilee, David, Trevor, Cooper, Boone, Eli, Ellie, and Hannah.

Ernest was predeceased by his daughter, Valerie Allen, and grandson, Colby Tasler.

He always put others, and especially his family, before himself. “Papaw” established a great legacy of faith and trust in his Savior, Christ Jesus.

His family takes comfort in knowing that he was a true and faithful servant of the Lord. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather and rested wholly on the Word of God.

Born the eighth of 11 children, Ernest lost his mother when he was only 8 years old. He learned responsibility early as he helped care for his younger brother and sisters, often taking them to school on his horse. A true cowboy, he was not a man of fear, but of quiet confidence and steadfastness.

Ernest was often singing hymns while riding horses in the pasture. He had his special ways about him, and even maintained ownership of three acres on the river just so that he would have a place to get worms for fishing.

Yet, Ernest worked harder than any man around to provide for his family. He worked in the oil boom of the late 1940s that helped establish many West Texas towns and rose to the level of sergeant in the Army.

In 1954, Ernest moved his family to Rockdale to continue his work in the oil business with one of his older brothers.

Ernest and Vernell were married for more than 66 years. They were a beautiful example of selfless servitude and Philippians 2:3-5: “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among ourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus.”

Donations may be made to The Lutheran Hour Ministries at LHM.ORG or call 1-877-333-1963.