Zion-benton High School Alumni
Zion, Illinois (IL)
In Memory of
Gary Schneider
1952-2026
Born Jun 23, 1952, Gary Schneider attended Zion-benton High School in Zion, IL.
Class of 1970
Jun 23, 1952 - Mar 30, 2026
Jun 23, 1952 - Mar 30, 2026
(no additional information)
Gary Schneider Obituary
Gary Schneider, age 73, of Richmond, Illinois, passed away peacefully on March 30, 2026, after a twenty-year battle with cancer and kidney disease. Gary was a brave warrior for decades, faithfully loving his Savior and his family while enduring numerous medical treatments, procedures, and hospital stays. In his final days, Gary took great comfort in knowing he would soon meet Jesus and receive his perfectly healed heavenly body.
Gary was the beloved husband of Karen Schneider; devoted and loving father of Keith Schneider and Angela Schneider; and proud grandfather of Noah Schneider, Logan Schneider, and Damien Smith. He was also the beloved owner of Duke of Earl Schneider, his dear Cavapoo.
He was a loving brother to Linda (Jerry) Finley, Jeanne Schneider, and Audrey (Mike) Hendee; and a special son-in-law, brother-in-law, uncle, and friend to many.
He was preceded in death by his cherished twin sister, Gail Welton; his parents, Arthur and Shirley Schneider; and his precious infant son, Andrew Roy Schneider.
Gary was born in Chicago on June 23, 1952, moments after his twin sister, Gail. Gary and his siblings grew up in Zion and graduated from Zion-Benton Township High School. Gary was a very hard worker and became the manager of a grocery store after high school, moving up quickly until he was offered a sales representative position at Nabisco. From there, Gary went on to have a successful career in the food business, leading teams at Nabisco as well as Famous Amos, Keebler, and Kellogg Snacks. Not only was Gary a hard worker, but he was also a great coworker who made many lifelong friends through his work.
In 1978, at the age of 26, Gary met the love of his life, Karen, whom he would go on to marry and spend 47 years with before his passing. Gary loved Karen with an unstoppable and passionate love. She was, and always will be, his person.
Gary's life was filled with many joyful moments and achievements, his proudest being his family. He was an avid Chicago sports fan, especially of the Chicago Bears and Chicago Cubs. This past year, he loved watching the Bears make the playoffs for the first time in years. Watching and talking about sports with his grandson, Logan, brought him great joy. Gary loved golfing and fishing, and especially cherished time spent fishing with his son and grandsons. He also loved to build things and created a special workshop in his last two homes, where he spent hours building, organizing, and decorating with mementos from his children and grandchildren. Gary was part of a very special Bible study group of men he met through Chain of Lakes Community Bible Church of Lake Villa, Illinois, where he and Karen attended for 15 years. For years, this special group of men gathered regularly to pray, study God's Word, and lift each other up. Gary gave his life to Jesus at the age of 26 and faithfully served Him for the rest of his life, taking great comfort in His Word. For the past 20 years, Psalm 23 held a special place in his heart. He also held close the hope of hearing, "You have fought the good fight, you have finished the race… well done, my good and faithful servant." And he did. He fought with everything he had, and he did so with love, compassion, and care for others. He now joyfully receives his reward in the arms of Jesus.
"Well done, good and faithful servant." (Matthew 25:21)
"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." (2 Timothy 4:7
Gary Schneider, age 73, of Richmond, Illinois, passed away peacefully on March 30, 2026, after a twenty-year battle with cancer and kidney disease. Gary was a brave warrior for decades, faithfully loving his Savior and his family while enduring numerous medical treatments, procedures, and hospital stays. In his final days, Gary took great comfort in knowing he would soon meet Jesus and receive his perfectly healed heavenly body.
Gary was the beloved husband of Karen Schneider; devoted and loving father of Keith Schneider and Angela Schneider; and proud grandfather of Noah Schneider, Logan Schneider, and Damien Smith. He was also the beloved owner of Duke of Earl Schneider, his dear Cavapoo.
He was a loving brother to Linda (Jerry) Finley, Jeanne Schneider, and Audrey (Mike) Hendee; and a special son-in-law, brother-in-law, uncle, and friend to many.
He was preceded in death by his cherished twin sister, Gail Welton; his parents, Arthur and Shirley Schneider; and his precious infant son, Andrew Roy Schneider.
Gary was born in Chicago on June 23, 1952, moments after his twin sister, Gail. Gary and his siblings grew up in Zion and graduated from Zion-Benton Township High School. Gary was a very hard worker and became the manager of a grocery store after high school, moving up quickly until he was offered a sales representative position at Nabisco. From there, Gary went on to have a successful career in the food business, leading teams at Nabisco as well as Famous Amos, Keebler, and Kellogg Snacks. Not only was Gary a hard worker, but he was also a great coworker who made many lifelong friends through his work.
In 1978, at the age of 26, Gary met the love of his life, Karen, whom he would go on to marry and spend 47 years with before his passing. Gary loved Karen with an unstoppable and passionate love. She was, and always will be, his person.
Gary's life was filled with many joyful moments and achievements, his proudest being his family. He was an avid Chicago sports fan, especially of the Chicago Bears and Chicago Cubs. This past year, he loved watching the Bears make the playoffs for the first time in years. Watching and talking about sports with his grandson, Logan, brought him great joy. Gary loved golfing and fishing, and especially cherished time spent fishing with his son and grandsons. He also loved to build things and created a special workshop in his last two homes, where he spent hours building, organizing, and decorating with mementos from his children and grandchildren. Gary was part of a very special Bible study group of men he met through Chain of Lakes Community Bible Church of Lake Villa, Illinois, where he and Karen attended for 15 years. For years, this special group of men gathered regularly to pray, study God's Word, and lift each other up. Gary gave his life to Jesus at the age of 26 and faithfully served Him for the rest of his life, taking great comfort in His Word. For the past 20 years, Psalm 23 held a special place in his heart. He also held close the hope of hearing, "You have fought the good fight, you have finished the race… well done, my good and faithful servant." And he did. He fought with everything he had, and he did so with love, compassion, and care for others. He now joyfully receives his reward in the arms of Jesus.
"Well done, good and faithful servant." (Matthew 25:21)
"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." (2 Timothy 4:7