Vernon "Scrap" Lance Schneidmiller

On January 25th, 2021 at 10:05pm, Lance put his rifle up for the last time and left this world to meet our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ face-to-face. Lance, fondly known as “Scrap,” was born in Colfax, Washington on December 18, 1941 as the youngest of three to Myrtle and Alex Schneidmiller. Lance grew up playing basketball and football at the state championship level, driving machines on the family farm, learning the tractor business from his father and learning to shoot any sort of gun. He attended Washington State University and spent time living in Alaska, Hawaii, Seattle and Spokane while working as a computer programmer, rate clerk, stock broker and investment representative. Lance loved God, kids and grandkids, hunting and beer, Fox News and any sporting event – mostly in that order. Hunting adventures took him across Canada, through Alaska, several trips to Tanzania and the Zambezi River, and countless weekends at Ivan’s. Lance volunteered for five years with Meals on Wheels and was a constant contributor to the Union Gospel Mission. In May of 2017, “Scrap” was diagnosed with brain cancer and given six months to live. Christ gave him almost four years to say “hi” and “goodbye” to many friends and family and meet several new grandchildren. “Scrap” is survived by his brother Lyn (Patti) of Wickenberg, AZ; brother-in-law Edward Hays Jr. of Ewan, WA; son Ryan (Michelle) Schneidmiller of Spokane, WA; son Ian (Katie) Schneidmiller of Kalispell, MT; daughter Staci (Oscar) Torres of Spokane, WA; daughter Kristen (Brandon) Herron of Sandpoint, ID; Lauren (Josh) Clayton of College Park, MD; 14 grandchildren, numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. Proceeding him in death are parents Alex and Myrtle, and sister Alix Karen Hayes. “Scrap” was a lifetime member of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Safari Club International and Spokane Rifle Club. Lance, “Scrap,” Madala will be missed by many, near and far. A man of few words, gentle heart, kind smile and dry sense of humor. One of his favorite verses, Psalm 91:2, “I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust.” In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Meals on Wheels, Union Gospel Mission and/or Spokane Rifle Club. A small memorial service was held for immediate family. “It is very hard to say goodbye, And so very hard not to cry. But we know exactly where you are, we just wish it didn’t seem so far.”