Gary Leslie Schwartz

Gary Leslie Schwartz beloved husband, father, brother, and “Papa,” passed away on January 23, 2022, at the age of 73 surrounded by loved ones. He was born on August 31, 1948, in Fond du Lac, the son of Leslie and Eleanora (Klatt) Schwartz. He grew up in Lomira, Wisconsin and graduated from Lomira High School in 1966, where he excelled in football, basketball, and baseball. At 19, he joined the U.S. Navy and proudly served his country, including in Vietnam on the USS Great Sitkin (AE-17), an ammunition ship. After his military service, he married Patricia Schill on April 28, 1973, and they settled in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. Gary worked as a machinist at Mercury Marine for 38 years until his retirement in 2009. Upon retiring, Gary volunteered for the Society of Saint Vincent De Paul and also worked part-time at Holiday Automotive.



Gary was a family man often known for saying, “Everything I do in my life is for my family.” And he meant it. An avid sports fan, he enjoyed coaching his two sons and their friends during grade school and high school on numerous teams. He later led the high school girls’ varsity basketball team at St. Mary’s Springs for over a decade. Gary was also a mentor to many future coaches. He was kind, generous, big-hearted, and relished being Papa to his grandchildren, each of whom brought him great joy.



He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Patricia; two sons, Clayton (Andrea) Schwartz and Tyler (Amber) Schwartz; four grandchildren, Tahlia Jean, Eleanora Ruth, Cooper James, Luke Micah, and bonus grandson Logan Ohlsson; three sisters, Carol (Ken) Kramer, Carolyn Lerch, and Elaine (Paul) Schwefel; brother, Don (Joyce) Schwartz, three sisters-in-law, Rosanne Schill Uelmen, Carol (Ron) Moore, and LeNore Schill; five brothers-in-law, Larry Kind, Dick (Myrtle) Schill, Michael Schill, Tom (Lydia) Schill, and David (Laurie) Schill; and many nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends. He was preceded by his parents, Leslie and Eleanora; parents-in-law, Mike and Sophia Schill; sister, Helen Kind; and five brothers-in-law, Keith Lerch, Charles Thanos, John Schill, Harold Uelmen and Dave Mielke; sister-in-law, Marilyn Thanos; two nephews, Patrick Schill and Opey Schwefel; and two nieces, Diana Banaszynski and Tammy Moore.



The visitation will be held on Monday, January 31, 2022, from 9:00 AM- 11:00 AM at Sacred Heart Church, Holy Family Parish. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place following the visitation at 11:00 AM. Private family inurnment to follow at Shrine of Rest Mausoleum, Ledgeview Cemetery, Cremation has taken place.



In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the family for the St. Mary’s Springs High School Athletic Department.



Services are in the care of Uecker-Witt Funeral Home, 524 North Park Avenue, Fond du Lac, WI, 54935. Additional information and guestbook can be found at ueckerwitt.com