Cecil Schneider

Longtime Goodland, Kansas businessman Cecil J. Schneider passed away Friday, July 15, 2016, at Goodland Regional Medical Center.  He had just celebrated his 92nd birthday.

He was born July 9, 1924, at Dighton, Kansas, the son of Katherine (Kleweno) and Wilhelm Schneider.   He graduated with the class of 1942 from Garden City High School in Garden City, Kansas.

In 1943, Cecil was transferred from Garden City, where he worked for the Commonwealth Theaters.  His new job in Goodland was as the projectionist and assistant manager.  It was war time, and because a childhood illness had damaged his heart, he was rejected by the Navy and the Army, which meant he was one of the only young single guys in town. He had his pick of women, but in December of 1945, he married one of the popcorn girls, Wanda Smith.  She became his partner in business and life for the next seventy years.  In 1949, they opened Fairyland, a children’s clothing store and had two children.  In November of 1952, complications from another bout of rheumatic fever caused him to have a massive stroke.  He survived and after learning to walk and talk again, he went on to have a third child and an even larger business, Schneider’s.   They were in business for forty-six years.  He was an active supporter of the community, charter member of the Goodland Lions Club, which celebrated sixty years in 2016, the Goodland Elks Lodge for sixty-six years, and the Chamber of Commerce for fifty years.  He was also a member of the First Christian Church, where he served on the board.  Cecil was known for his hard work, generosity, wit, and luck.  He enjoyed his time with his great friends and coffee buddies.  It was a wonderful life.

Preceding him in death were his parents, one brother Clair, one sister Elda Trombley, and son Tal Schneider.

Surviving family includes his wife Wanda Schneider of Goodland; son Kim Schneider and his wife Sherrie of Madera, California; daughter Pamela Young of Goodland; granddaughter Shawna Franco and her daughter Kylee Franco, both of Fresno, California; grandson Scott Young and his children Lexi Young and Aidan Young, all of Longmont, Colorado; and two brothers Glen Schneider of Denver, Colorado; and DeVern Schneider and his wife Yvonne of Dodge City.

The funeral will be Thursday, July 21, at 2:00 PM MT, at First Christian Church in Goodland, with Pastor Doug Amend officiating.  Burial will follow in the Goodland Cemetery.

Friends may share their respects on Wednesday, from 5:00 until 7:00 PM MT, at Koons Chapel in Goodland.

Memorials may be designated to First Christian Church or Goodland Lions Club, and may be left at the services or mailed to Koons Funeral Home, 211 N. Main, Goodland, KS  67735-1555.

Online condolences:   www.koonsfuneralhome.com