WILLARD C. “COWBOY” SCHNUR

Willard C. “Cowboy” Schnur, 95, of 1023 Sixth St., Kiel, died peacefully Saturday, Feb. 6, 2010, at Sharon S. Richardson Community Hospice, Sheboygan Falls, where he resided since Aug. 15, 2009.

He was born Feb. 16, 1914 in Milwaukee, son of the late William and Hilda (Voland) Schnur. Willard attended Plymouth Public Schools and was a 1931 graduate of Plymouth High School. He also attended Manitowoc County Normal School for one year and La Crosse State College for one year.

He was a proud veteran of the U.S. Army serving his country from 1943-46 when he was honorably discharged.

On Aug. 12, 1941, he married Antonia “Toni” Lulloff at the rectory at SS. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Kiel. Toni preceded him in death Dec. 20, 2005.

Willard taught school in the town of Rhine in a one-room schoolhouse and also worked at A.A. Laun Co., Kiel, before being employed for H. Lulloff & Sons, Kiel, for over 50 years where he was the bookkeeper/accountant.

He was a member of SS. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Kiel, where he also was the bookkeeper for 32 years, a member of the New Holstein American Legion, Post #124 and the St. Ann Redmen’s Club.

Willard was inducted in the Lakeshore Sports Hall of Fame in 1983 not only for being an outstanding baseball player, umpire and manager but also for managing the Kiel A’s to East Shore Championships in 1978, 1979 and 1980. His overall record compiled was 63-7 including a perfect 14-0 season, which has never been duplicated in that league since. Baseball was his passion, playing, umpiring and coaching. He was a basketball referee. In later years he enjoyed watching sports, especially baseball and football.

He was a voracious reader, especially the sports page and was able to quote stats from every city his children lived in, besides the National League. He also had a “sweet tooth” and enjoyed the many “goodies” he received.

Survivors include his five children: David (Mary Ann) Schnur, Kiel; Susan (Steven) Bergin, Stevens Point; Kaye (Peter) Erdman, Hartford; Michael Schnur, Kiel and Peter Schnur, Kiel; and 10 grandchildren: Paula and Jeff Schnur, Ashlee (Corey) Shapiro, Seth and Ethan Bergin, Patrick Erdman, Sarah (Mike) Rublee and Jennifer, Anthony and Aaron Schnur. He is further survived by one sister, Doris Progar, Jacksonville, Fla.; two sisters-in-law, Monica Manz, Kiel, and Alyce “Butch” Lulloff, Kiel; other relatives and many friends.

He was also preceded in death by one sister, Betty Rohde.

The funeral Mass for Willard will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Feb. 12, at SS. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Kiel, with the Rev. Loren Nys S.D.S., Deacon Pat Knier and Joe Zenk officiating. Burial will take place in the parish cemetery.

Family and friends may call at the Meiselwitz-Vollstedt Funeral Home, 815 Sixth St., Kiel, on Thursday, Feb. 11, from 4-8 p.m. and at the church Friday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service.

A wake service will be conducted at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.

Online condolences may be sent at www.meiselwitzfh.com. Willard’s family would like to thank the doctors and staff, especially his private nurse, Rhonda Scheller, for the wonderful care he received and Rev. Loren Nys S.D.S. for his prayers and concern.