Albert (Sonny) Schoener Jr.

Albert (Sonny) Schoener, Jr., 86, of Port Lavaca passed away September 6, 2013. He was born April 8, 1927 on a small farm near Guadalupe, TX to the late Albert Fritz Schoener, Sr. and Agnes Schlebach Schoener. He loved telling stories about how he grew up on a farm during the Great depression and joined the Navy at the age of 17 for World War II. This was a very growing time for him. The many experiences he encountered were deeply embedded in him and were helpful in molding him into the man he later became. He served on the USS President Jackson where part of his duties were to drive the landing craft boats which were used to transport soldiers and equipment to the front lines while under enemy fire. After his Military tour he returned home and married Evelyn Seiler, who was his girlfriend before he joined the military.

In 1987, Sonny retired from the Texas State Department of Highways and Public Transportation, after 33 years of service. During his early years at the Highway department he was a Drawbridge Operator for the Port Lavaca draw bridge before the current causeway bridge was built. He was member of Salem Lutheran Church, VFW Post 4403, Retired State Employees Association and Sons of Hermann in Dacosta.

Sonny loved his wife of 59 years, Evelyn, more than anything else in the world. Over the years, they spent a lot of their time dancing, belonging to many dance clubs and socializing with their many friends playing dominoes. Sonny’s second love was, of course fishing! There are endless fishing stories to be told and pictures to be shared. Sonny loved to visit with everyone he met – he always had a story to tell. Sonny spent a lot of his time at the Senior Citizen’s Center, playing dominoes, exercising or just socializing, but was probably known best as “Santa”.

He is survived by his daughter, Jenny and Carl Kallies of Deer Park; sons, Danny Schoener and Sohae Clancy of Spring, Randy and Sharon Schoener of Sioux City, Iowa; sisters, Pauline Brown of Austin, Virgie Harlan of Houston; brothers, Anton Schoener of Port Lavaca, Frank Schoener of Houston; grandchildren, Brandon, Jessica, Joseph, James, Kimberly, Jacqueline and Carl III; great-grandson, Carter, and many nieces and nephews.

Sonny was preceded in death by his wife, Evelyn Schoener; twin daughters Sharon Ann & Susan Ann Schoener; parents; sister, Marie Zalesak and brother, Kenneth Schoener.

Visitation will be held Tuesday, September 10, 2013 from 6-8 p.m. at Richardson-Colonial Funeral Home. Funeral Services will be Wednesday, September 11, 2013 at 1 p.m. at Salem Lutheran church with Pastor Dan Zellmer officiating. Interment will follow in Greenlawn Gardens with military honors under the auspices of the Calhoun County Veterans Joint Honor Guard.

Pallbearers are Steve Brown, David Brown, Greg Schoener, Mike Harlan, Mark Harlan, Kelvin Schoener, DeWayne Willoughby, Roy Stanton, James Schoener, Joseph Schoener, Brandon Sorgdrager and Mark Daigle. Honorary Pallbearers are Jessica Sorgdrager, Kimberly Kallies, Jacqueline Kallies and Carl Kallies, III.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Senior Citizens center in Port Lavaca, 2104 W Austin St., Port Lavaca, TX 77979.

Words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.richardsoncolonial.com