James Lee Schneider

James Lee Schneider, better known as Jim, passed away Friday, March 4, 2022.  Formerly of Bellefontaine, Ohio and currently residing in Spring Hill, Florida, Jim died at home of stomach cancer.  He was 75 years old.

Jim was born November 25, 1946, in Newell, WV, the fourth son of Clarence Leslie and Hazel Florence (née Walters) Mandley.  His father died in October 1947 and Jim was later adopted by his stepfather William Phillip Schneider.  Upon the death of his mother in June 1956, Jim and his brothers became wards of the Oesterlen Home for Children in Springfield, OH.  In June 1959, Jim and his brother Gene were rescued by a young couple who took James 1:27 to heart, Pastor Jerry and Carol Schmalenberger whom they call Dad and Mom to this day.  Jim considered this a turning point in his life and expressed the gratitude he had for the impact their love made these last 63 years.

Jim graduated from Bellefontaine High School in 1964.  He enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1965, serving in Dover, DE, Saigon, Vietnam, and Washington DC.  Sergeant James Schneider was honorably discharged in 1969.  After his military service, Jim began a career in sales. He progressed from selling men’s clothing at Buchenroth’s, Chef Boyardee products across northwest Ohio for American Home Foods, water softeners for Culligan, and real estate for Cerwinsky Realty, before beginning a 6-year employment with McDonalds which gave him the experience to own and operate his Dairy Queen for the next 20 years.

As a result of his Christian faith and wanting to serve the Lord, Jim invested his time leading a small group, teaching Sunday school, working vacation bible school, participating in the Mission team and mission trips, and painting a lot of walls.  In his spare time, he enjoyed playing golf, hiking, backpacking, bicycle riding, and traveling.

Jim will be remembered as a happy guy, friendly to everyone, always ready with a smile and a handshake.  He loved people and making them laugh was his mission.

Jim was preceded in death by his brothers: Ed (Jan) Schneider, Bob (Nell) Schneider, Bill Tropp, and David Robinson.  Jim is survived by his wife of 36 years, Robin Varner Schneider; his sons: Brian (Tammy) Schneider of Charlotte, TN, and Scott (Darla) Schneider of Niles, MI; his grandchildren: Jordan Reis of Driedorf, Germany, Brittany Schneider of Bowling Green, OH, Delaney and Harley Schneider of Mansfield, OH, Bailey, Madison, and Dakota Schneider of Niles, MI; his brother: Gene Schneider of Hampton, NH; his parents: Pastor Jerry and Carol Schmalenberger of Sedona, AZ; the mother of his sons: Cheryl Deffenbaugh of Bellefontaine, OH; many foster brothers and sisters and too many nieces and nephews to count.

Staffed by the Eichholtz Daring & Sanford Funeral Home, visitation will be held Friday, March 11, from 4 to 8 p.m. and Saturday, March 12, from 10 to 11 a.m. at Rushsylvania Church of Christ, 170 East Mill Street in Rushsylvania.  John Watkins will conduct a funeral service at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 12, at the church.  Burial will follow at Rushsylvania Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Rushsylvania Church of Christ, 170 Mill St E, Rushsylvania, OH 43347

The staff of the Eichholtz Daring & Sanford Funeral Home & Cremation Center in Bellefontaine is honored to serve the Schneider family.

D.S.