Lillian Bennett Harden Schaitberger

Mrs. Schitberger was born October 21, 1920 in Savannah, Ga. to Rufus L. and Clifford McIntosh Bennett, and was the oldest of 9 children. She was raised in South Newport before moving to Virginia and moving back to Darien in 1970. She was employed as Finance Director at Whittier Jr. High School in Virginia and later employed as Coordinator of Food Stamp Program with the McIntosh Co. DFACS, retiring at age 65.

Mrs. Schaitberger was a charter member of Lower Altamaha Historical Society (November 1980). The Society achieved its first goal by raising money for the restoration of the Block House at Fort king George. Lillian was treasurer of LAHS for 13 years ending April 30, 1993. Miss Lillian researched and compiled a booklet titled “Scots of McIntosh” for the 250th Anniversary of the Settling of Darien. Miss Lillian loved McIntosh County. In an effort to serve her county, she became a charter member of “Concerned Citizen for Better Government for McIntosh County.

She was instrumental in helping to organize “McIntosh Family Cemetery Association”. As a result of donations and her stewardship the cemetery was enlarged, fenced and installed with markers. Her historical research resulted in the cemetery receiving a historical marker,as well as a Bartram Trail marker.

Lillian Schaitberger co-authored the book “Children of Straughlachlan Plantation”. This chronology of McIntosh descendants was printed in 2002. In 1999 Miss Lillian was one of a select group to place memorabilia, pictures, and historical documentation of Jekyll Island’s history in a “Time capsule”. The capsule will be opened in 2049.

As a member of Brunswick Pilot Club, she was especially proud when they funded the “Pilot Lifeline” program. A service she would use herself for many years. She was a member of the Darien Lions Club. Until her sight and health prevented her activity, she sold as many tickets as anyone for this service organization. Miss Lillian worked many years fundraising for the Cancer Society of McIntosh County. She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Darien.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Harry Schaitberger, a W.W. II veteran and her parents.

Survivors are her daughter, Dennis Diaz (Dimas) of Brunswick, two sons, Harold Schaitberger of Washington, D.C. and Joseph Schaitberger (Leslie) of Alpharetta, Ga., three sisters, Bernice Gibbs of Eugene, OR., Ada Collins of Darien, and Virginia Bassford of Payette, ID.,., a brother, David Bennett of Tacoma, WA., grandsons, Bill Hawthorne, Mike Hawthorne, Joe Hawthorne, Jeff Diaz,Michael Schaitberger, granddaughters, Jennifer Hecker, Jessica Windish and Samantha Schaitberger, 10 great grandchildren, and 3 great great grandchildren.

Funeral Services will be held at 11 O’Clock Thursday 3/1/11 in the South Newport Baptist Church with Rev. Dimas Diaz officiating. Interment will follow in McIntosh family Cemetery in South Newport, Ga. Active pallbearers will be: Bill Hawthorne, Michael Hawthorne, Joe Hawthorne, Michael Schaitberger, Bruce Collins and Max Collins. Honorary pallbearers will be: staff of Fairhaven Assisted Living and Staff of Golden Isles Dialysis.

The family will recieve friends in the Funeral Home from 6 to 8 PM Wednesday

The family request contributions to the American Kidney Foundation and Alzheimer’s Association.

The family wishes to thank the kind and caring staffs of Dialysis of Golden Isles, LLC, Fairhaven Assisted Living and Heartland Hospice.

Edo Miller and Sons Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.