Vincent L. Schneider Obituary

Vincent Lawrence "Vince" "Vin" Schneider, born September 3, 1924, passed away peacefully of natural causes December 11, 2022. He was a strong, opinionated, kind man with a genuine heart. Vince was born to John and Bertha (Viola) Schneider in Milwaukee. Fond memories of growing up on his grandfather's farm near Seymour, WI, where he learned to drive horses, often filled his conversation. Upon returning to Milwaukee, he drove a team of horses for the city, plowing snow and picking up ashes. He apprenticed as a chef at both the Phister and Sheridan Hotels, but missed the great outdoors.

He began operating a magnet crane at a scrap yard loading railcars during the regular operators' (his uncle Al's) lunch break. Vince worked at Miller Compressing, Rex Chainbelt, and Northwestern Wrecking Company, before starting his own businesses beginning in 1960. Vince L. Schneider Enterprises and Best Cranes, Inc. supplied lifting, construction, and demolition crane services to the greater Milwaukee area and adjoining states. He often credited his many employees, which included family members, for his success.

Three or four of his cranes graced the Milwaukee skyline at any given time. Wisconsin Electric, Kwik Trip, The Phister Hotel, the original Milwaukee Railroad Depot, Milwaukee Greek Orthodox Church, and the old Davidson Theater were among his customers. He was a proud member of both Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) and the Wisconsin Excavators and Graders Association (WEGA), where he served as President. He often volunteered time and equipment for Rawhide Boys Ranch. He was a member of both The John Birch Society and Lincoln Lodge, F&AM, since the 1960's.

He visited people in hospitals and nursing homes who seemed to be forgotten. He would drop everything to help someone in need. He was the person you would call at 3 in the morning when you had a flat tire and needed a tow. He raised his children to be the same way. He raised them to drive with a manual transmission, to back up a trailer using their mirrors and not just look out the rear window, and to not call in sick when they had the sniffles. His favorite sayings were "make the best of it", or "use what you got!".

He is survived by his wife, Marilyn; children Linda (Pete) Ryan, Alan (Diane) Schneider, Luke (Maria) Schneider, Ann (Bob) Gehrung, and Leah (Tom) Wank; brother Sebastian (Joy); and many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and friends. Visitation 9:00 - 11:00 a.m. Saturday, December 17, 2022, followed by memorial service at 11:00 a.m. Rev. Kurt Loescher presiding. Schmidt and Bartelt Funeral and Cremation Services N84 W17937 Menomonee Ave Menomonee Falls, WI 53051 Private internment at Union Cemetery, Menomonee Falls.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to David's Star Ev. Lutheran Church, Jackson, WI; or Mt. Lebanon Lutheran Church, Milwaukee, WI.