Donald Rhea "Don" Schneider

Donald Rhea “Don” Schneider,74, of Lewisburg, OH, died peacefully at the Dayton VA’s “Victory Ridge” on February 27, 2020, surrounded by his loving wife and daughters.  

Don was born on September 19, 1945 Louisville, KY to Fred and Maxine (nee Rose) Schneider. He graduated from Southern High School in 1963 where he lettered in football, basketball, and baseball. Don went on to play baseball and basketball at Western Kentucky University, where he would earn a Bachelor of Art degree in Physical Education and meet his future wife Anita Mills in a square-dancing class. 

Don served honorably in the US Army during the Vietnam War in 1970-1971, stationed in Quang Tri near the DMZ.  He returned home to marry Anita on June 19, 1971.Don’s career began as a high school teacher in Louisville, then as a night manager at the Gold Circle on Salem Ave in Dayton, OH, and eventually he became the Special Projects Manager at Baxter Healthcare (formerly Dayton Flexible) in Eaton, OH. In his 22 years there, he made many close friends and was known for his comedic addresses as the MC of the annual plant awards ceremony. 

In 1982, at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, he gave himself a moniker that would define his legacy as a husband and father: “Don Your Tour Guide.” He planned family adventures to Hawaii in 1986, Cancun, Mexico in 1988, and then a year later, told his family that Baxter offered him the opportunity to transfer to a plant in Penang, Malaysia. Don, Anita, Katherine and Karla moved to Penang in 1990 and were able to visit Japan, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Hong Kong and Australia during their 3 years there. 

Don was an avid golfer throughout his life and played many courses around the world with his wife and good friends. He was a fixture at Penn Terra Golf Course in Lewisburg, OH, where he played for almost 40 years and would become a groundskeeper after retiring from Baxter. 

Don is survived by his wife of 48 years, Anita Schneider, his daughters Katherine Schneider and Karla (Billy) Guinigundo, granddaughter Zora, and his mother Maxine Schneider of Louisville, KY, sister Patricia (née Schneider) Rueff of Tampa, FL, and brother Gary (Ellen) Schneider of Chicago, IL. His father, Frederick Schneider of Louisville, KY., precedes him in death.

Family will receive friends on Saturday, March 7, 2020 from 10:00 A.M. until the time of service at 11:00 A.M. at the Grace United Methodist Church, 750 Arcanum-Ithaca Rd, Ithaca, Ohio. A reception will follow the service at the church. Arrangements Entrusted to Barnes Funeral Home, Lewisburg, Ohio. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to the Dayton VA Hospice Fund, VA Medical Center, 4100 West Third St., Dayton, OH 45428 or to the Ohio Hospice of Dayton, 324 Wilmington Ave., Dayton, OH 45420. Condolences may be sent to the family via the website at www.barnesfuneralhome.com