Milton R. Schachterle

January 11, 1918 – December 13, 2011

Milton R. Schachterle, 93, of Denver, Colorado died December 13, 2011 at the Eastern Star Masonic Retirement Community. He was born January 11, 1918 at home to Anna M. (Zeiler) and Andrew R. Schachterle. He was raised on the family farm located south and west of Haxtun, Colorado. With both parents being Germans from Russia, Milton spoke German until he started school at South Rockland. Graduating in 1936 from the New Haven High School, he was the only graduating student that year.

Like most farm kids, Milton had many daily chores. He said that the only thing that he liked about plowing was making the rows nice and straight. When he got older, he and his dad would drive to Loveland to work the cherry harvest. They also worked the sugar beet fields near Eaton and Ault. During the Depression, he worked for other neighboring farmers earning as much as $15.00 a month.

In the fall of 1940 Milton enlisted in the Navy. On the morning of December 7, 1941, he was aboard the USS Phoenix in Pearl Harbor. The crew of the Phoenix manned their aircraft guns as they got the ship underway to get safely out of the harbor. He took part in 25 engagements including the Battle of Leyte Gulf. In 1944 he was stationed aboard the USS Pyro. After WWII, he witnessed the atomic bomb testing at Bikini Atoll. He was discharged on December 13, 1946 and served in the Reserves from 1947 to 1952.

After his discharge, he returned to Colorado. Early in 1947, he started working in Denver for Thompson Pipe and Steel earning about sixty-five cents per hour. Later that year and while living at the same boarding house, he met Iris Carlson. They married on May 23, 1948 at the First Plymouth Church and held their reception at the boarding house where they first met. In 1952 Milton went to work for the Rocky Mountain Arsenal retiring from there in 1978. Iris and Milton attended the 50th PHSA Reunion and with his son, David the 60th PHSA Reunion at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

Milton was a member of the Masonic Lodge, Cryptic Masons, the Consistory, El Jebel Shrine, Knights Templars, Eastern Star which he served twice as Worthy Patron, Amaranth, 47 Club, and the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association. He and Iris were long time members of First Plymouth Church, Englewood, Colorado.

Milton was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Iris (1996); brothers, Allen and George; sisters, Ruth Egozcue and Edna Mayhew; and a nephew.

He is survived by his daughter, Melissa (Joseph) Shopnitz of Loveland; son, David (Carolyn) Schachterle of Aurora; grandsons, Andy Shopnitz and Russell Schachterle; brother, Paul (Dorothy) Schachterle of Englewood; sister, Martha Weese of Longmont; 4 nieces and 5 nephews.

A Memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, January 6, 2011 at First Plymouth Church, 3501 S Colorado Blvd., Englewood, Colorado. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Eastern Star Masonic Retirement Community, First Plymouth Church or The Shriners Hospital.

Arrangements under the direction of Olinger Hampden Mortuary & Cemetery, Denver, CO.