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BORN
1936
DIED
2022
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James Schneider Obituary
"Brother Jim" was born March 21, 1936, in St. Louis, Mo., to John and Mabel (Moore) Schneider. He attended Southwest Baptist College (Bolivar, Mo.) and Oklahoma Baptist University (Shawnee, Okla.) receiving an undergraduate degree in psychology in 1958. He then went on to receive a master's degree in pastoral ministry from Midwestern Baptist Seminary (Kansas City, Mo.). He was the founding pastor of Pleasant Valley Baptist Church - later to become Pleasant Valley Community of Prayer & Praise in Groton and ministered to the community for 54 years. On July 14, 1961, he married Anna Louise (Ryberg) Schneider. They raised a daughter, Jody, and two sons, James and John.
Jim had a passion for evangelism. During his ministry, he established a number of outreaches to the community, raised funds and built the church at 20 Grove Avenue, as well as mentored and/or inspired more than 50 people into ministry. He loved nature; his family fondly remembers taking annual vacations to national parks and scenic locations. He loved taking pictures, and he combined his loves by taking many beautiful pictures - especially of his favorite animals: moose. Many fondly remember the moose decor in his office and loved to visit just to see what new treasures had been added since they were last there. He was known for his alliterated sermon points; his deep, powerful voice; his genuine laughter, his quick wit. and his compassionate spirit.
After retiring from full-time ministry, Jim and Louise moved to Rutland, Vt. in 2015 to be near their family.
Jim was proceeded in death by his father, John; his mother, Mabel; and his brother, Jack. He is survived by his wife, Louise; his children, Jody and her husband Jim Smith, James and his wife Catherine, John and his wife Ellen; his grandchildren, Jenah Bosch and her husband Nathan, Jocelyn Smith, and Lilly Schneider; and his great-grandchildren, Malachi, Jonathan, Adeline, and Mathias Bosch.
A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 12, 2022, at Grace House, 20 Grove Avenue, Groton. Masking will be required; live streaming will be available. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Malta, Inc. (Groton, CT) or Horizons Early Learning Center (Rutland, VT) via Clifford Funeral Home, 2 Washington Street, Rutland, VT 05701.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for James Schneider
Sponsored by Clifford Funeral Home - Rutland.
Scott Hurley
September 9, 2024
Brother Jim baptized my wife and I in the fall of 1995. What a blessing! He is one of the best men I have ever known.
Lynne Calhoun
April 10, 2024
I was casually looking up Pleasant Valley Baptist Church, where Terry and I spent a few years. I was saddened to hear of Brother Jim's passing. The sermon series, I remember the most was entitled "Wisdom from Wisdom Teeth". He had had his wisdom teeth extracted, and was using many sermons to talk about being in the valley with the Lord. Because of brother Jim's warm nature and his wife Louise is warm tender heart as well, the church had a vitality that we needed so badly. Terry and I were newly married and just having our first child brother Jim and Louise help start a church full of ministries for a couple like us.
I have memories of his warm sense of humor at potluck dinners, and the feeling that he was always there if we needed him.
Terry and I got our start in church ministry, Terry has a teacher and me as a children's teacher and choir member from being in that church.
As someone else has said in these comments, the ministry brother Jim started reached the community in many ways and brought a lot of people to salvation in Christ.
I look forward to seeing him in heaven and giving him a big hug for Helping Terry and I along our way in this life.
God continue to richly bless the Schneider family!
Lynne Calhoun
Malachi
November 3, 2023
He was my great grandfather and he was one of the best he shall be missed every single day
Melanie Kappler
February 23, 2023
A year later, I am reading this. He was paramount in my salvation. They loved me and nurtured me and officiated our wedding 52 years ago. Well done good and faithful servant.
Don Browning
August 21, 2022
Jim and I kind of grew up together at Southwest Baptist College and OBU. We had several revivals together at little churches. I came out to Groton a couple of times for revival and he came to Oklahoma for a revival. He always preached and I led music and sang. I considered him (and still do) one of my very best friends. In heaven, he can preach and I will be the singer. My love to his family.
Don Browning, Arizona
Pam & Eddie Tates
February 11, 2022
Our sympathies to the Pastor Jim's family. Pastor Jim and Louise Schneider have always been in our thoughts. My husband & I are thankful to have been part of PVBC all those years ago.
Pam Overton-Tates & Eddie Tates
Mark and Fran White
February 10, 2022
So grateful for the life of Brother Jim, not only was he a pillar for his sheep, but was also a pillar of faith for his community. We loved him dearly. He always preached a great sermon, with a great sense of humor. One of my favorites is when he did a sermon involving our bodies and how they´re made up of 90% water. He said he was thinking about different people, but by the time he got to me he couldn´t take the thought! ( those of you who don´t know me, I stand a big 4 feet 11 inches)neediness to say we laughed a lot! Love you brother Jim, you will be greatly missed.
Jim Licklider
February 8, 2022
I was sorry to hear of Brother Jim´s passing . That was exactly what happened. He passed from his earthly home to his heavenly home. There is so much I could say. Bro Jim was a fellow Missourian and St Louis Cardinals baseball fan. He was a friend and confident. He lived a good long life and I know that this is only a temporary parting . My love and prayers to Louise and her family. So long for now Brother Jim we will be along before you know it.
Ann Byles
February 1, 2022
I will never forget Pastor Jim. I got saved at Pleasant Valley, Baptized and so much more. I volunteered for Malta and loved going to soup kitchen and Thursday night service. No one like Pastor Jim. My condolences to his entire family.
Sharon and Mike Roberts
February 1, 2022
We were members of Pleasant Valley for over twenty years and Pastor Jim was the best pastor we have ever known - a gentle but strong giant. He and Louise could never know the great blessings they were to us.
The family are in our prayers. We love you.
Mike and Sharon Roberts
Bill Burdett
January 31, 2022
We were truly blessed from late 1998 until mid-2002 to fellowship at PVCPP and hear Pastor Jim in the pulpit during those years. It made our East Coast experience very special, and Jim still ranks as one of the very best pastors, if not the best pastor, that we have ever fellowshipped under. He was a gifted speaker, indeed! We also very much enjoyed Louise and all of the Schneider family and were privileged to have some of them, including Jim and Louise, visit us in Nebraska in either the summer of 2002 or 2003 on their way to CO. Our time at PVCPP allowed us to develop many friendships that we so enjoyed while living in CT.
Thank you, Pastor Jim!
Bill and Jeanniene Burdett
Cairo, NE
Richard Wright
January 30, 2022
God used Brother Jim and his preaching to have an incredible effect on my life and family. I saw both my parents saved and baptized under his ministry. He was one of the best preachers I have ever sit under. For years he gathered with others in early mornings for pray at the altar of the church in Groton. He was a great man with a great Savior and a great wife! I was one of many that was called to ministry under his influence. He was a strong light for Christ in the Groton-New London area. 50 years ago Steve H. invited me to church and I remember app 20 other football players eventually sitting with us. Many could go on and on about God´s powerful work through Jim´s obedient life. He is with His Jesus now. Thank you God for giving us "Bro. Jim!"
Jerry & Ginny Chadwick
January 29, 2022
We cherish all of the things we did with Jim & Louise at Pleasant Valley Church. He is rejoicing in heaven with Jesus now. PTL
kriss
January 29, 2022
greatest pastor ever! love u, Jim!
The Young Family
January 29, 2022
We are so saddened by Bro Jim´s passing. He was a truly wonderful man. Our very first encounter with Bro Jim was when our church team played against the Pleasant Valley softball team. He was very passionate! I came to Pleasant Valley to hear him preach after hearing about him from friends. You had his sermons running on TV then and I had Bob watch him. He loved Bro Jim right away. He loved Jim´s humility and passion to reach those in need. Bro Jim created an amazing legacy and his and Louise´s commitment to praying for our region for so many years has, I am sure, resulted in our being spared many untoward events and opened the hearts of many, many people. Bro Jim will be in the hearts of the Young family forever.
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