Dwayne Lloyd Schlegel

Dwayne Lloyd Schlegel was born in Albany, Oregon, on October 31, 1938 to Willard Lloyd Schlegel and Alice Louise Schlegel (née Thompson). His family, which included his only sibling Nadine, eventually relocated to the Seattle area during his younger years so that his father could pursue his education at Simpson Bible College while supporting the family working nights in an industrial laundry. In his early teens, he and Nadine would spend summers with Grandpa (Otto) Thompson on the family farm and mill in Shedd, Oregon. (Thompson’s Flouring Mill is now an Oregon State Heritage Site.) Memories of life working and living on the family farm were some of his strongest memories throughout his life, and the lessons of the hard work there were evident in his work ethic throughout his life.

When Simpson Bible College relocated to San Francisco in 1955, the family followed. Dwayne attended and graduated from South San Francisco High School in 1957. After graduation, Dwayne worked at Pacific Cement & Aggregates, beginning in the mail room and working his way up to Pricing Manager by 1960. On Valentine’s Day, 1960, Dwayne married Elizabeth Juanita Petrie and began working for Maryatt Industries as a Route Salesman and advanced to Sales Manager by 1970. In 1962, their only son Douglas Lloyd was born, and in 1969, they adopted their only daughter, Julie Ann. In the late 60’s and early 70’s, Dwayne pursued further education at San Jose City College, graduating with an A.A. in Marketing in 1973, and enrolled at San Jose State University but the completion of his degree would not occur until many years later. He was also very active in Toastmasters International during this time and was elected president of the local San Jose chapter in 1972-73, where he was also awarded Toastmaster of the Year in 1972.

In 1975, Dwayne took employment in sales at Frito-Lay in San Jose, and in 1977, transferred to the South San Francisco office and the family relocated to Redwood City. Once again, he advanced to management at Frito-Lay until deciding to return to field sales and relocated to Redding, California, in 1982. Dwayne and Juanita lived together in the same house in Redding until her passing in January 2014. Dwayne remarried Elizabeth Ann Reed (d. 2023) in 2016.

Dwayne and Juanita had dreamt of opening an ice cream shop for many years and in the 80’s, they fulfilled that dream, eventually having two locations in Redding. With Juanita’ s failing health, they eventually closed the business. After his retirement from Frito-Lay in 1995, Dwayne worked as an insurance agent for Modern Woodmen of America and at the local Sears store. But before his retirement, he also completed his education at Simpson College (now University) in Redding. In 1992, he earned his B. A. in Business and Human Resources Management with a minor in Psychology. Throughout his life, he received many commendations and awards for his work. At one point, when it was discovered that he was to be assigned to different duties, the Chief of Police of San Francisco wrote a letter to his employer saying, “I have always found Mr. Schlegel to be most conscientious, courteous, efficient, and a credit to your organization.”

Dwayne was always very involved in church life, but while living in Redding, Dwayne became more and more active and was designated a Lay Ministries Coordinator for the Church of God (Cleveland, Tenn.) in 1992, and was ordained as a chaplain in 2012 by Valley Christian Fellowship in Redding. For many years he had a passion for serving in the VA Hospital near his home, and that passion remained even when his physical infirmities and geography prohibited him from serving.

In 2022, Dwayne relocated to Sacramento, California, and was cared for by his son and daughter-in-law, Cheryl, until moving to an assisted living facility in the area. He then followed his son and daughter-in-law to Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and lived in an assisted living facility in 2025. His final month was in a nursing facility south of Sioux Falls. It would surprise no one who knew him that during his final month, he was busy sharing the gospel with a cousin who had turned away from the faith in his youth, and preparing for leading the chapel service in the nursing facility.

Dwayne departed this life and entered into his rest in the arms of his Saviour peacefully on May 20, 2026 with the words of John 14, and Psalms 23 and 139 being read to him, while surrounded by loving family. He is preceded in death by his sister Nadine, and survived by his son Douglas Lloyd and his wife Cheryl Ann, daughter Julie Ann, 8 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren.