Martian W. Schneider

Martin "Mart" W. Schneider, 92, was born April 6, 1918, to Martha (Ziedrich) and William Schneider in Medford, Wisconsin and passed away at his home in Roseburg, Oregon on Saturday, March 12, 2011, where he had resided since 1953. Mart dedicated his life to God, family and country. He was a member of the Baptist Church of Glide, Oregon. He entered the U.S. Army with the first Wisconsin draft (from Medford) on March 12, 1941, which was to be for one year; but because of Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, he served four plus years. He received an honorable discharge on August 22,1945 -- over four years of that time was spent continuously in the South Pacific. Mart was assigned to the field artillery in the Pacific Theater which included the Solomon Islands, New Guinea, Luzon, Guadalcanal and the Philippines. Among his awards were the Good Conduct Medal; Bronze Arrowhead; Asiatic-Pacific Theater Service Medal; American Defense Service Medal; Philippine Liberation Ribbon with one Bronze Star; and five overseas service bars.
Mart married Ethel "Dutchie" (Conn) Worthington on July 30, 1952. She predeceased him in death on October 30, 1995.
In 1952, after selling the sawmill he owned and operated with his brother, Robert, Mart worked for Roseburg Forest Products until his retirement in 1983. He was drawn to wood as steel is pulled to a magnet and was an outstanding wood crafter. He often restored antiques that seemed completely useless, into pieces of beauty. He loved nature in all forms. Dutchie and he enjoyed hunting and fishing together, feeding wildlife and the companionship of many cats and dogs. Mart is survived by his brothers, Al of Sun City West, Florida; and Robert and his wife, Laurie, of Burlington, Washington; and by his sisters, Helen Wallace of Hinsdale, Illinois; and Ann Mack of Boulder, Colorado; many step relations including Beverly Lortie and Wade Worthington, Jr. Many loving nieces and nephews also survive him, including John Robertson of Roseburg, Oregon; and Camille Hoeppner of Southern California and his precious dog, Princess. In addition to his parents, Mart was predeceased by his sister-in-law, Helen Schneider; and brothers-in-law, Norman Wallace and Ronald Mack.
The family would like to thank his dear friend and neighbor, Jane Johnson, as well as Helen and Don Scott, Cecil Cooley and the staff of Tender Home Care for the many months and years of caring and assistance to allow Martin to remain in his home.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 9, 2011 at 11:30 a.m. at the Glide Baptist Church, 357 Glide Loop Rd, Glide, Oregon.
In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to Southern Oregon ESD Program for Visually Impaired, Donation Account, at 101 N. Grape St., Medford, OR, 97501; and the Glide Senior Services, P.O. Box 155, Glide, OR, 97443.