Wilma Celestia SCHNEIDER

SCHNEIDER Wilma Celestia Wilma Celestia Schneider, born to William F. and Bertha A. (Birkin) Johnson on November 13, 1919, peacefully passed away at The Heritage in Findlay on Wednesday, November 18, 2009. Wilma was a life-long resident of Wood County recently residing in Findlay to be close to family. A 1937 graduate of Perrysburg High School and a 1939 graduate of Bowling Green College, Wilma began a teaching career at Rudolph School in 1939. She continued teaching, with her career taking her to the Dowling School for one year; she then earned her Bachelor of Education degree from Bowling Green State University in 1959, and continued teaching for the Rossford Exempted Schools (Glenwood and Eagle Point) for the remainder of her 27 years of teaching. After retirement, she tutored in the Eastwood School District. She married Bernard J. Schneider on December 26, 1940, at Christ Lutheran Church, Dowling. He preceded her in death in May of 1971. Also preceding her in death were her parents and her brother, Lester C. (Florence) Johnson of Perrysburg. Surviving is a daughter, Janelle (Larry) Busdeker of Findlay; granddaughter, Lindsey (Craig) Hauzie of Westerville; grandson, Lance (Abigail) Busdeker of Chicago; two great-grand-children, Claire Celeste Hauzie and Evan James Hauzie. Cousins, Dorothy Fox, Melvin Johnson, and Evelyn Bowen as well as nieces Conni Johnson, Pat Hayden, Georgi Gilmet, Linda Wolf, and nephews, Bill and Dennis Johnson, Kevin Schneider and Gael Fisher survive. Wilma had been an active member of Zoar Lutheran Church in Perrysburg and its Ruth Circle. She and Bernard were members of the Clodcrushers Farm Council. She was a charter member and served as treasurer of Delta Kappa Gamma Educational Sorority, Rho Chapter. After retirement, she participated in re-enactments of the early days of education in Wood County for elementary students at the "Little Red Schoolhouse" on the campus of BGSU. For several years she also quilted with the Dorcas Circle of the Salem Lutheran Church, Pemberville. She was a member of the Ohio Retired Teachers Association and the Wood County Retired Teachers where she served as Historian. In addition she had been a part of the Monday Teachers Group and the Bowling Green Mall Walkers. Wilma enjoyed traveling, especially to Michigan, Hawaii, Alaska, North Carolina, Arizona, Florida, Missouri, and overseas. She enjoyed playing cards in her card clubs. She was a good farm manager, taking this responsibility on fully after Bernard's death. She clearly loved learning and participating in many activities. Most importantly, however, she loved her family, friends and especially her Lord. She will be remembered for her faith, her friendliness, her humility, her graciousness, her hard work, her giving, as well as her ability to remain thankful throughout any adversity. She was generous with her time and her possessions, frequently supplying clothing to students in the school districts in which she taught. If someone was in need, she found a way to give. In a card received recently for her 90th birthday, a former student from the 1947-48 first grade class summarized her well by writing, "Thank you for the kind and gentle start you gave to my educational path which led through college, seminary and two graduate schools. I deeply appreciated the way you taught and cared for all of us. Again, thank you." Even to the end, she loved children, witnessed by the smile on her face when she saw a small child or when she yet attempted to kiss a child who would be sitting on her lap. Wilma will truly be missed by family and friends. If giving in her memory, please consider Zoar Lutheran Church, Bridge Home Health and Hospice of Findlay, 15100 Birchaven Lane, Findlay, Ohio 45840, or the Wilma C. Schneider Memorial Fund for Elementary Children in Need in the Rossford Schools, 601 Superior Street, Rossford, Ohio 43460. Friends will be received Sunday, November 22, 2009, from 1-5 and 6-8 p.m. at Witzler - Shank Funeral Home, 222 E. South Boundary Street, Perrysburg (419-874-3133). Visitation will continue Monday, November 23, 2009, from 10 a.m. until the time of the service at 11 a.m. at Zoar Lutheran Church, 314 E. Indiana Ave., Perrysburg, Ohio 43551, with Pastor Timothy P. Philabaum officiating. Burial will follow in New Belleville Ridge Cemetery. Condolences may be made online to the family at www.witzlershank.com