Howard George Schoeller, 97, of Springfield, Mo., was called home to the Lord on April 10, 2011. He passed away in St.John’s Hospital after experiencing complications following hip surgery. Howard was born at home April 7, 1914 in Bryn Mawr (later named White Oak Borough), Allegheny County, Pa. to Gustave G. and Ana (Bock) Schoeller. He graduated from McKeesport Technical High School in 1932. He often shared fond memories of the surveying work he did with the CCC in 1935.
Howard was the beloved husband of Erma Etola (Ring)Schoeller, whom he married in 1938. He retired from the U.S.Steel Corporation, Homestead Works, as a machinist in 1976. Much of his free time was spent during those years serving as a deacon and elder with the Duquesne Christian Church in Duquesne, Pa. He became a member of Glendale Christian Church upon moving to Springfield in the 1980s. Throughout his life, he loved to tinker in his workshop and repair things for neighbors and friends.
Howard’s wife preceded him in death in 1996, as did his oldest son, James (1995). A gentleman in every sense of the word, he leaves behind to cherish his memory three sons, Gary (Upland, Calif.), Bill (Dunedin, Fla.) and Bob Schoeller, of Rogersville, Mo.; as well as siblings, Katie Stauffer, Louise Underwood and Walter(Buddy) Schoeller (all of Pennsylvania); and his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to”Mission Work” sponsored by Glendale Christian Church, 2110 S. Blackman Rd, Springfield, MO 65809. Our greatest gift to Howard would be to build a personal relationship with Jesus Christ so we can better exemplify and spread the meaning of God’s love. We will celebrate Howard’s life with visitation (10 a.m.) and a funeral service (11 a.m.) at Greenlawn Funeral Home East (3540 E. Seminole Springfield, MO 65809) on Thursday, April 14, 2011 followed directly by burial in Klingner-Cope White Chapel Memorial Gardens, 5234 W. State Highway EE.