Thomas Henry Schnieders

Colonel Thomas H. Schnieders, 89, of Lake Worth, FL died February 5, 2021. Born in Ft. Wayne, IN on May 9, 1931 to Clement and Clara Schnieders, he was a graduate of St. Joseph College (IN) where he received an accounting degree in 1953 and lettered in football and played basketball. He joined the United States Air Force (USAF) in 1954 and completed Aviation Cadet Flight Training (1955). Tom was commissioned as an officer, received his navigator wings and acquired 6,700 flying hours and a master navigator rating. His flying duties included reconnaissance during the Cuban Missile Crisis and Vietnam War along with two tours of duty in Germany and one in Japan.

Tom was Finance Director at Lockbourne and Wright Patterson Air Force Bases; his final Air Force duty assignment as Director of Accounting and Finance was for 11 countries under the USAF European operations. He received the Legion of Merit and seven air medals. Upon retiring in 1980 he relocated to North Miami Beach, FL and was the Director of Accounting and Finance for the City of North Miami until his retirement in 1996. He was a 15-year member and 10-year president of the Wilshire Condominium Association Board of Directors in North Miami Beach. He moved to Lake Worth, FL in 1997 and was a member of St. Matthew Catholic Church for 24 years.

He is preceded in death by his beloved wife of 60 years, Delena Cordea Schnieders, and siblings Robert, Lily, Pat, Rose, Kathleen, Violet and Ray. Tom is survived by his children Claire (Michael) Kruthaupt Lake Worth, FL; John (Janine) Schnieders Greenacres, FL; Danilee (Glenn) Chin Melbourne, FL; and Thomas Schnieders II Pembroke Pines, FL; grandchildren Zach (Katyln) Schnieders; Natalie (fiancé Ovidio Perez) Schnieders; and Matthew Chin; sister Marguerite Nommay Elkhart, IN; sister-in-law Danilee Cassinelli Maitland, Fl; brother-in-law Eugene LeFavour Fort Wayne, IN; He is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews and special friends Bud and Ann Thomas, Joan Hogan, Michael Weiss, Ron Gondolfo, David and Luzmilla Popper and the Velez family.

Tom lived a Christ-centered life. With a deep faith he truly lived the Commandment to “Love thy God with your whole heart, and with all thy mind…and love thy neighbor as yourself”. He led the Rosary for the residents of Brookdale Nursing Home, Boynton Beach and for a wonderful group at St. Matthew Catholic Church where he served as Eucharistic Minister.

Tom’s claim to fame was his wit, sense of humor and cooking skills (the best mashed potatoes, filet mignon, pot roast, peanut brittle, rum cake). He traveled extensively and was an all-around sports enthusiast. He loved golf and Notre Dame football. Tom’s children and grandchildren are thankful for every blessing the Lord gave them through their dear father/grandfather.

The viewing will be held at Dorsey-E. Earl Smith Memory Garden Funeral Home, 3041 Kirk Rd in Lake Worth, FL on Friday February 12th from 2-4 and 6-8pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at noon on February 13th, at St. Matthew Catholic Church, 6090 Hypoluxo Road, Lake Worth. Father Clem Hammerschmitt officiating. Mask wearing and social distancing will be observed. Entombment will be February 15th at 2pm at Glen Haven Memorial Park in Winter Park, FL adjacent to his wife, Delena. Contributions in Tom’s memory made be made to St. Matthew Catholic Church Lake Worth, FL ; St. Vincent de Paul Seminary 10701 S. Military Trail, Boynton Beach FL; or Catholic Relief Services 228 W. Lexington St. Baltimore, MD