Lillian Margaret Schneider

Lillian Margaret "Patsy" Schneider, 88, of Mineral Wells, passed away Tuesday, February 10, 2009, in a Mineral Wells nursing home. Funeral services will be 4 pm Thursday at the First United Methodist Church, Rev. Carol Woods officiating. Burial will be in the Woodland Park Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Brad Flaska, Bill Fortney, Dan Lawson, Chris Beauchamp, Mark How, Clay Ward and John Lockyer. Honorary pallbearers will be Mineral Wells Little League Board, City of Mineral Wells Parks and Recreation Board, Mike Ward, Bennie Light, J. R. Patterson, Bill Houghton, John Hampton and Donnie Hoover.Mrs. Schneider was born June 30, 1920, in Mineral Wells. She lived most of her life in Mineral Wells except the time she was attending college and being with her husband during his service time. Most everyone knew her as Patsy. She was the daughter of James Pat and Effie Williams. She married Paul H. Schneider on October 3, 1941.Patsy was a vibrant lady and well spirited. She loved life. She loved her community and volunteered many hours toward it. She was a loving and devoted wife to her husband. She loved her girls and their husband's and she especially loved her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.After attending Texas Tech University and the University of Texas, she returned home and met Paul Schneider, who was a young Lieutenant from Des Moines, Iowa, stationed at Camp Wolters. They met at the old Dan's Venetian Club and less than three months later; they were married on October 3, 1941. Patsy's dad told Paul - he sure wish he was a Texan. During the Korean War, Paul was called back in the Air Force. Patsy received her insurance license and ran her husband's insurance company.Her community involvements include Cullen Grimes PTA, Girl Scouts, Red Cross, First United Methodist Church Sunday School Teacher, MYF leader and Trustee, Little League Sponsor Coordinator, Board of Miss Mineral Wells, AARP, United Way, Board of the Cross Timbers Task Force for Senior Citizens, Board of the City Parks and Recreation Chamber of Commerce Ambassador and was on the Board of Planning and Zoning for the City.She was very active in PTA when the girls were in school. She served as secretary, treasurer and president of the Cullen Grimes PTA and Pet Show Chairman for many years. She also held offices in the regional and state level.She was a leader of a Brownie Scout Troop of 28 girls and then became a Girl Scout leader. She held a state office.Patsy did a lot of work on fund raising and was one of the founders of United Way for Palo Pinto County.One of her most enjoyable involvements was being on the Board of the Mineral Wells Little League Association which she was involved for seven years. She raised money for the Little League Association by obtaining sponsors for the teams and sponsor signs for the fields.The Little League Board and the City of Mineral Wels voted to have the Baseball-Softball Complex be called the Patsy Schneider Baseball Softball Complex.Patsy also loved to take her oldest daughter, Paula, all across the country to horse shows. Paula was very involved in Palomino and Quarter Horse shows.Keep Texas Beautiful recognized her as a distinguished community leader and was honored with a Certificate of Merit O. P. Schabel Status Citizen in commendation of outstanding and creative leadership and initiative in achieving a clean and beautiful environment in Texas.She was on the Board of the Miss Mineral Wells Pageant and helped with obtaining the Grand Piano for the Mineral Wells High School. She was very involved with the Miss Texas Pageant for several years.She was a lifelong member of the First United Methodist Church. She taught Sunday School for many years. She was a Methodist Youth Fellowship Leader. She was on the Board of Trustees.In 1996, the Athletic Director for the Mineral Wells Independent School District at the time, Chuck Curtis, recognized Paul and Patsy Schneider at one of the half time football games as having the same reserved seat for fifty years.Patsy had been ill for many years with Alzheimer's. Her daughter, Patricia had her at Lakewell House with Paul until he died then she moved her to Mineral Wells Health and Rehab.Patsy is survived by a daughter and son-in-law Paula and John Czapko of Pilot Point, daughter and son-in-law Patricia and Bobby Shewmake of Salesville; Three grandchildren, Stefany Shewmake Gillen, Bob Shewmake and Sam Shewmake; great-grandchildren, Robert Gillen, Lillian Gillen and Gracie Shewmake; cousin E. W. Williams and wife, MaryAnn of Amarillo. She is preceded in death by her husband, Paul, parents, James Pat and Effie Williams, brother-in-law Ken Schneider and a sister-in-law Irene.