FREDERICKTOWN – Max Lewis Schonauer passed away peacefully into the arms of his Savior at his home surrounded by his loving family on Feb. 17, 2021. He was born on Nov. 5, 1927, to Clarence and Ethel Spayde Schonauer in Woodbury, near Bellville.
Max was the fifth of seven children and the younger twin to his sister, Maxine Leedy Hardin, who preceded him to heaven on Jan. 15, 2020. Max loved God and his country, serving in the United States Marine Corps as a private first class stationed in Cherry Point, North Carolina.
On May 29, 1948, he married the love of his life, Kathleen Miller Schonauer. On May 4, 2017, after nearly 69 years of marriage, Kathleen lost her battle with cancer. Together they built a life full of love and a house full of children. Their farm on the edge of Fredericktown soon became the gathering place that was truly home to all 74 descendants, which was his biggest legacy. He left his earthly home with seven children, 24 grandchildren, 40 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren, all of whom adored him. He taught by example, showing every one of them his Christian values, his work ethic, his love for God and the importance of strong family ties. One of his great joys was dubbed “friends of the fire,” where loved ones gathered to relax and reminisce.
Max was a great conversationalist and could make friends with any stranger. He was active in community events and supported numerous local organizations. He was on the building committee, as well as a trustee and deacon of Palmyra Church of Christ for over 50 years. He was a member of the Lions Club, the Farm Bureau, the Fredericktown Community Development Foundation, the Knox County Board of Realtors and the Columbus Board of Realtors.
Max was an avid bowler at Trio Lanes. He took up golf later in life and played in the Fredericktown/Clear Fork Golf league, and also served as its president. His love of Euchre was passed down through the generations, and he never lost his competitive spirit.
He was a supporter of numerous little league and Fredericktown sports teams, and he was also a member of the Fredericktown School Board for eight years, where he served as president. He volunteered on the construction of the Fredericktown Library and the gazebo and was honored as parade Marshal for the Fredericktown Tomato Show. With his high regard for community involvement coupled with the numerous family members participating in local sports, you could often find Max sitting in the bleachers or along the sidelines.
He was owner and operator of Max L. Schonauer Masonry for over 25 years, teaching many of the next generation the trade. He finished his career as a mason while he studied at The Ohio State University and received his realtor and brokerage licenses. Max worked in the industry helping others buy and sell their homes until his retirement at the youthful age of 88 years old.
He is survived by his son, James (Jackie) Schonauer; and six daughters, Debra (Hank) Burgholder Solis, Marla (Morgan) Dague, Paula Schonauer, Julie (Keith) Chester, Kathy (Rob) Miller and Mary (Tim) Cunningham.
Besides his parents and his wife, Max was preceded in death by siblings, Helen McCoy, Eileen Lemley, Gene Schonauer, Maxine Leedy Hardin, Barb Heaton Scott and Gary Schonauer.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to WarriorBags.org, P.O. Box 93, Seymour, IN 47274; or Palmyra Church of Christ, 21184 Zolman Road, Fredericktown, OH 43019; or Hospice of North Central Ohio, 17700 Coschocton Road, Mount Vernon, OH 43050.
The family will observe a private graveside service. And as Max would say as he said goodbye, “Tell ‘em all ‘hi’”; and, “Bye, See, Love.”
To share a memory or leave a condolence, visit www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.
The Snyder Funeral Home of Fredericktown is honored to serve the family of Max L. Schonauer.
