Dr. John E. Schneider

Dr. John Edward Schneider, 82, of Cape Girardeau, an athlete, coach, athletic director, teacher, university professor and administrator, found his peace Wednesday, April 27, 2011, after a short, courageous fight with cancer.

He was born in St. Louis, son of Joseph Edward Schneider and Fern Elizabeth Wray.

He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Loretta Fuerth, four children and nine grandchildren.

Schneider, a Southeast Missouri State University professor emeritus, was a true professional with 30 years of dedicated teaching, coaching and administration whose advising, counseling and encouragement positively affected countless teachers' and athletes' careers.

He was a community servant who continued to use his talents, dedication and loyalty to his alma mater and his community through volunteer service during his retirement. And most importantly, John was also a father of four successful professionals who carry on his steadfast faith and dedication to service above himself.

John graduated from St. Mary's High School in St. Louis and began his athletic career on a football scholarship at St. Louis University. When football was discontinued at SLU, he came to Southeast Missouri State Teacher's College and continued his love of the game on a scholarship. He earned four letters, was named to MIAA All-Conference Team four times, and was chosen as a Football All-American by NAIA in his senior year. Known as the "magnetic fingered" left end, he was a member of the 1955 undefeated football team.

John's football career was interrupted in 1949 when he enlisted for four years in the U.S. Navy, serving on the USS Latimer APA during the Korean conflict as a hospital corpsman.

Each fall he was allowed to return to Virginia to join the Little Creek Virginia Football Team. When his service commitment was completed, he returned to finish his education at Southeast University. His athletic accomplishments earned him one of the original spots in the university's athletic Hall of Fame.

He completed a bachelor of science in education, with majors in physical education, and history in 1956; a master of education from University of Missouri in 1959; and a doctorate of education from Vanderbilt University in 1973.

John's coaching career began at Fulton, Mo., High School in 1956, where he coached football, baseball and track. In 1957 he went to Yuma Union High School in Yuma, Ariz., before being asked to return to his alma mater in 1959 as assistant football coach under Kenneth Knox.

At Southeast, besides being the assistant football coach and athletic trainer 1959 to 1967, he coached golf 1960 to 1967, was physical education teacher 1959 to 1989, graduate studies adviser and athletic director 1970 to 1977, and department chairman 1977 to 1989. His tenure at Southeast spanned 31 years, from 1959 to 1990.

Early in his teaching career, John began his dedication to the community and things larger than himself when he received a Kennedy Stipend for Special Education Seminar at Southern Methodist University, and ultimately received numerous grants for special education, and gave special assistance, and created special rehabilitation classes for students with special needs.

In 1963 he designed and developed the student intramural program. As an independent studies adviser, John assisted students in movement education, elementary physical education, history of physical education, philosophy of sport, special physical education for trainable mentally handicapped, and care of athletic injuries.

Schneider advised graduate students and served as thesis adviser for students pursuing master degrees in all areas of physical education, coaching and special education and was instructor/trainer for the American Red Cross.

In 1975 he served as project administrator for National Youth Sports Program held on the Southeast campus. In 1976 he brought to Cape Girardeau the first State of Missouri Special Olympics held on the university campus.

As a member of the Southeast faculty, John served on the Faculty Senate as parliamentarian, university commencement committee, graduate council, athletic committee, credits and classifications, teacher education, basketball and track tournament manager, university representative, Athletic Booster Club, timer for men's varsity basketball games, crowd control supervisor and consultant for all campus activities held at Houck Field House. John was a member of the athletic booster club from 1976 to 2011, and Copper Dome Foundation member from 1983 to 2011.

Following retirement in 1990, he continued his volunteer service as announcer for home football games, and timer for men's varsity basketball games until 1996.

In service to the community, he was a charter member of the board of directors, Sheltered Workshop, which later became VIP Industries, Little League baseball coach, and manager 1970 to 1974, chairman and member of Cape Girardeau Parks and Recreation board 1970 to 1976. During his tenure as chairman, a partnership was created between board of education and the city for year-round public swimming pool activities. John also designed, developed and implemented the first touch football League for boys 8 to 12, and served as the director four years.

John was chairman and original member of Historic Preservation Commission for Cape Girardeau. During his tenure he initiated fundraising efforts to raise $25,000 for the metal fence for Old Lorimier Cemetery after repeated vandalism incidents. He was also president, treasurer and longtime member of Greater Cape Historical Association.

Notwithstanding his many accomplishments, John was most proud of his service to his Catholic faith as chairman of Restoration Committee of Historic Old St. Vincent's Church. He administered fundraising and restoration efforts that resulted in complete restoration of the English Gothic church built in 1853 and set for demolition. He continued as a member of board of directors, Friends of Old St. Vincent's, from 1985 to 1992. John was also a dedicated patriot and a lifetime member of VFW.

Schneider will be best remembered by his students and athletes as a strict but loving disciplinarian and for his never-ending sense of humor. And in John's own often quoted words after various events, "That's it, sports fans."

Besides his wife, Loretta, John is survived by four children, Ann Elizabeth Hamilton (Stephen) of Town and Country, Mo., John Arthur (Susan) Schneider of Concord, N.C., Joseph M. (Laurie) Schneider of Cape Girardeau, Lt. Col. James C. (Lt. Col. Beverly) Schneider of Helena, Mont.; nine grandchildren, George Hamilton, Victoria, Samuel and Julia Schneider, Sam Schneider, Christopher, Marissa, August and Zoe Schneider; a brother, James Martin Schneider of Camdenton, Mo.; and two sisters, Claudia Hayduk and Barbara Thomas of St. Louis.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday at Old St. Vincent's Church.

A funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Monday at the church, with the Rev. Patrick Nwokoye, the Rev. Tom Kiefer and the Rev. Richard Rolwing concelebrating. Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery with full military honors.

In lieu of flowers, John wished to have donations made to the Cape Girardeau Parks and Recreation Foundation Special Fund in his honor.

Ford and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Online condolences may be made at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.