Charles L. Schnieders

Charles “Chuck” Louis Schnieders of Leawood, Kansas passed on October 27, 2019 at the age of 74 surrounded by loved ones. Chuck was born October 7, 1945 in Jefferson City, Missouri to Virgil and Dorothy Schnieders. At a young age the family relocated from Mexico, Missouri to Kansas City and settled into St. Peter’s Catholic Parish. Chuck attended grade school at St. Peter’s and then followed on to attend high school at Bishop Hogan where he excelled at football and being an overprotective big brother. He graduated from Bishop Hogan in 1963.

Following high school the Cold War’s tensions led Chuck to enlist in the Navy to fight in Vietnam from 1967 to 1968. Always a patriot, Chuck served in the Naval Construction Battalion (“Sea-bees”) where he attained the rating of E-4 Petty Officer Third Class. He was honorably discharged and returned home following his tour of duty, however he rarely discussed his experience in country.

Back in the United States, Chuck joined Employers Reinsurance Corporation where he worked his way from the mail room to Vice President over the course of thirty-plus years with the company, while concurrently earning a bachelor’s degree from Avila College. During this time Chuck also served as a reserve Jackson County Sheriff where he would lament the fact that he worked security at the infamous “Christmas Day game” for the Chiefs. He was confident that the lackluster 70s and 80s for the Chiefs could be explained away by that double overtime loss. Most importantly, during this time he met, fell in love with and wed Judith (Serman) Schnieders with whom he found his most poignant calling - that of family man. Chuck would spend these many years as father, coach and confidant, all titles he relished.

In 2012, Chuck began his fight with cancer. Over the course of the next seven years he would do battle with primary cancer tumors in his esophagus, head and neck and later prostate. He would endure radiation and chemotherapy treatments with a smile on his face. Ultimately, the cancer would take his voice when an operation necessitated the removal of his larynx. Despite this, Chuck would find his inner-actor, developing an over-the-top ability to emote through face expression which perpetually delighted his grandchildren.

Chuck is survived by his wife, Judie Schnieders of Leawood, Kansas; his children Todd Schnieders of Lee’s Summit, Missouri; Chris Schnieders and his wife Kelley of Leawood, Kansas; and Dr. Staci (Schnieders) Reintjes and her husband Robert of Mission Hills, Kansas; his sisters Karen (Schnieders) Tritt and her husband Bill of Kansas City, Missouri; and Polly (Schnieders) Dresnick and her husband David of Raytown, Missouri. He is further survived by his grandchildren Logan Schnieders, Chance Schnieders, Elle Schnieders, Sage Reintjes, Teagan Reintjes, Reese Reintjes and Cassidy Fensom-Schnieders as well as a host of nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, Virgil and Dorothy Schnieders, his sister Jan (Schnieders) McGovern and her husband Rick, his niece Lauren Tritt and his aunt Vernice Rincheval.

A visitation will begin at 9:30 a.m. on November 4, 2019 at The Church of the Nativity located at 3800 W. 119th St., Leawood, Kansas 66209 followed by a funeral mass at 11:00 a.m. and a grave-side service at Mount Olivet Cemetery, located at 7601 Blue Ridge Blvd., Raytown, Missouri 64138. Condolences can be offered at www.mcgilleystatelinechapel.com. Memorial gifts may be made in his name to Catholic Charities (catholiccharities-kcsj.org).