Neal "Snoopy" J. Schwantes

Neal “Snoopy” J. Schwantes, 82, of Fond du Lac, died peacefully Thursday, August 3, 2023 surrounded by his family. He was born January 3, 1941 in Sheboygan, the son of Alphonse and Alice (Schneider) Schwantes. Neal graduated from New Holstein High School. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1959 – 1967 as a Nuclear Reactor Operator on the SSBN-599 Patrick Henry and SSN-585 Skipjack.

On December 30, 1961 he married his high school sweetheart, Mary Ellen Kraus in Johnsburg. Neal worked for Mercury Marine until his retirement. He was a member of Holy Family Parish and served on the Board of Fisherman’s Road Fishing Club. He enjoyed time with his family at the cottage, hunting, fishing. He attended car shows with his 1963 Studebaker Avanti R2, enjoyed becoming a private pilot, and most of all loved spending time with his family. Neal will be remembered for his optimism and wisdom.

He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Mary Ellen; three children, Greg (Gwen) Schwantes, Lori (Jim) Daniels, and Cheryl (Paul) Barfknecht; seven grandchildren, Jane (Ian) Glisczinski, Malinda Schwantes, Rosa (Jon) Suchowski, Ella Daniels, Luke (Hannah) Barfknecht, Connor (Lauren Best) Barfknecht, and Nathan (Kylie Alger) Barfknecht; two great grandchildren, Paisley Hoddel and Philip Glisczinski; four sisters, Patti Hopp, Mary Beth (Gerald) Kraus, Judy (Ken) Hesterman, and Anna (Don) Anderson. He is further survived by one brother-in-law, Joe (Eileen) Kraus; six sisters-in-law, Patricia (George) Schmidbauer, Dianne (Donald) Sippel, Janet (Jack) Braatz, Joan (Dick) Braun, Sharon (Dale) Muellenbach, and Joyce Mann; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; in laws, Gregor and Catherine Kraus; three brothers-in-law, Donald Hopp, Clayton Krebsbach, and Mike Mann; niece, Julie Anderson Wagner; and nephew, Chad Braatz.

The visitation will be held Tuesday, August 8, 2023 from 9:30 – 11:30 AM at Holy Family Church, 271 Fourth Street Way, Fond du Lac. The Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:30 AM on Tuesday at church. Entombment will be held at Chapel of the Risen Christ Mausoleum, Calvary Cemetery with military honors.

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