Henry Schneider

Date of Birth

Jul 16,1923

Date of Death

Mar 17,2014

HENRY SCHNEIDER, age 90, of Maple Park, formerly of Batavia, passed away peacefully in his sleep, surrounded by the love and prayers of his family on Monday, March 17, 2014. Henry was born in Gabin, Poland, the son of Ferdinand and Olga (Luniak) Schneider. Henry grew up in Gabin and attended local schools. He continued his education in Warsaw and studied horticulture before he entered into the German army. He was drafted into the German army in the summer of 1941. By December of 1941 he was placed at the eastern front where he would find himself for the next 3 ½ years. He went through an unspeakable hell, and lost many good friends along the way. He saw his father and home only a few times ever again. At the end of the war, the remainder of his unit surrendered, and he became a POW. He had been separated from his family for two to three years only to be able to find his mother and sister again via the Red Cross in 1946. Henry found the love of his life while living in Germany. He met Anna Kolb, who happened to be visiting her sister in Uslar. Henry and his family lived in the same building as Anna’s sister. They met, fell in love, and became engaged. Henry and Anna decided to immigrate to the United States in search of a better life. In 1952 they did the proper paperwork, found sponsors, and eventually settled in Chicago where they were married. Henry and Anna were united in marriage on May 31, 1952. They made their home in Chicago for a few years where in 1954 they welcomed home a son, Eugene, before moving to Des Plaines. They were blessed again in 1958 when their son, Richard, was born. Three years later they moved to Batavia and in1963 their daughter Karen made the family complete. They made 17 years of memories in Batavia, including the purchase G & E Greenhouses. They expanded the business to Maple Park in 1971 and built a home there several years later. Henry’s flowers were his life’s passion and he worked in the greenhouse until his retirement in 2008. Henry was proud to be a founding member of DANK – German American National Congress, based in the Fox Valley area. He also was an active member of the Ohio Florist Association, the Plain Dirt Gardeners, and Immanuel Lutheran Church in Batavia. Henry only had one hobby and it was one he was passionate about. Horticulture was his life and he dedicated many years to its study and a lifetime to its appreciation. When he wasn’t walking through his greenhouses Henry liked to go boating and fishing or read anything he could get his hands on, but history especially piqued his interest. Early in his life, Henry was an accomplished horseman out of necessity but also for pleasure. Later in life, he and Anna loved to travel. Their destinations included a variety of countries in Europe, Hawaii, the islands of the Caribbean as well as our neighbors to our north. Summer wasn’t complete without at least one week at Camp Luther in Three Lakes, WI. He spoke four languages – Polish, German, English, and a little Russian. He was very proud of his heritage. He is survived by his loving wife, Anna, of 62 yearsThree children:Gene Schneider, of BataviaRick Schneider, of Maple Park and Karen (Chris) Schindler, of BataviaSix grandchildren:Aaron Schneider,Bethany (Jeromy) Busse,Adam PaulEric PaulZachary (Jacqui) Schindler and their son Chevy, Aimee Schindler, One brother, Eugene Schneider;Several nieces and nephews and a family of friends both here and abroad. He is preceded in death by his parents, Ferdinand and Olga Schneider, one sister, Irma Skokowski, one daughter-in-law, Melody Ann Schneider, one nephew, Henry Skokowski, and his favorite four-legged friend, Thor, his German shepherd.Visitation will be from 4:30-7:30 p.m., Thursday, March 20, 2014, at Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St., Elburn, IL. A memorial service to celebrate his life will be Friday, March 21, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 950 Hart Rd, Batavia, IL, at 11:00 a.m. Private family interment will follow at a later date. A memorial has been established in his name to benefit his favorite charities. Checks may be made to the "Henry Schneider Memorial" and mailed in care of P.O. Box 66, Elburn, IL 60119. Tributes may also be forwarded to the same address or on the web at www.conleycare.com.

Immanuel Lutheran Church950 Hart RoadBatavia, IL

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