1923
Donald
2014
Donald Schuneman
October 3, 1923 — February 9, 2014
Donald Eugene Schuneman was born on October 3, 1923 in the southeast bedroom of his parents' farmhouse. Don was the second child of four born to Joseph George Schuneman and Grace Lorena (Lowe) Schuneman. The family did lose Dad's youngest sister Dorothy when she was five years old.
Along with his sister Evelyne and his brother Ralph, Dad attended school through eighth grade at the one-room schoolhouse of New Hope District 21. The school was conveniently located about one mile west of the Schuneman farm, making the walk quite easy. Dad spent his high school days at Caldwell, Kansas. He gained confidence at Caldwell in part because the family owned a black Model T Ford with red wheels and an add-on radio. Still needing some extra attention, Dad initiated some minor problems that would cause conflict with his teacher, Mr. Jim Berr.
Life on the farm was hard during the Depression. Dad and his sister Evelyne had to plow the field with a team of horses named Dick and Babe. In spite of the difficult times, the family never went hungry since they were able to provide for themselves from the food and animals that they raised. It was not unusual for Dad's mother to provide extended housing for one of her twelve siblings. This meant the children had to sleep on the floor.
When Dad was ready for college, his Aunt Beulah Sullivan encouraged him to attend Bethany Peniel College with his cousin Mabel Shields. Because Dad was so shy, he was completely devastated when Cousin Mabel got married right before school started and left Dad on campus alone. Had it not been for the encouragement of his roommate, Double E. Hill, Dad would have stayed in his room and not gone to class.
During Dad's sophomore year, he first met Millie Akin, a pastor's daughter from Texas. Because she was so beautiful, Dad was surprised that she would even pay him any attention. He fell in love with Mom, but Mom had another young man in mind. Never giving up, Dad won Mom's heart back shortly after he returned from World War II. They were married on August 22, 1947 in the Nazarene parsonage by Mom's Father, Rev. E. P. Akin. They celebrated 66 years of marriage on August 22, 2013. In their final days together, their love for each other became even more obvious.
During World War II, the sergeant in Dad's company disliked Dad so much that he took Dad's new boots away from him. The freezing temperatures caused Dad to have frost-bite. He was evacuated to an Army hospital shortly before the Battle of the Bulge began. Many of the men from his company were killed, including the sergeant.
No one could have had a better Father than Judy and I have had. The pickup rides to the farm became a classroom for lessons on life. Mom and Dad have been perfect examples of the Christian life, marriage, love for the church and safety of the home. Dad also enjoyed his role as Poppy to his grandchildren. Jennie, Robbie, Jonathan and Mendy enjoyed coming home for Christmas to carriage rides around Medford, wonderful meals around the family table and trips to the farm.
Although Dad was a farmer at heart, Dad's greatest impact on people will be as Principal of the Medford School system. Mr. Schuneman will long be remembered for the impact he had on young people's lives even if they learned about his paddle first-hand. General Dennis Reimer commented, "Outside of my parents, Don Schuneman was the greatest influence on my life."
Beth Blubaugh Morrison said, "Our parents worked together to keep us in line outside the school. Mr. Schuneman kept us in line inside the school." Dad's relationship with Christ was never clearer than in the last five weeks of his life. He asked every nurse, doctor and aide if they knew Jesus. Right before he died, Dad told Jonathan, "God told me I have done a good job and it is time to come home." He then added, "Do you hear the singing? Who is singing?" It doesn't get better than that!
Funeral service for Donald is Saturday, February 15, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. at Medford Church of the Nazarene. Burial will be at Rosemound Cemetery. Viewing will be Friday from 9:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m.
Memorials may be given to the church through the funeral home.
Along with his sister Evelyne and his brother Ralph, Dad attended school through eighth grade at the one-room schoolhouse of New Hope District 21. The school was conveniently located about one mile west of the Schuneman farm, making the walk quite easy. Dad spent his high school days at Caldwell, Kansas. He gained confidence at Caldwell in part because the family owned a black Model T Ford with red wheels and an add-on radio. Still needing some extra attention, Dad initiated some minor problems that would cause conflict with his teacher, Mr. Jim Berr.
Life on the farm was hard during the Depression. Dad and his sister Evelyne had to plow the field with a team of horses named Dick and Babe. In spite of the difficult times, the family never went hungry since they were able to provide for themselves from the food and animals that they raised. It was not unusual for Dad's mother to provide extended housing for one of her twelve siblings. This meant the children had to sleep on the floor.
When Dad was ready for college, his Aunt Beulah Sullivan encouraged him to attend Bethany Peniel College with his cousin Mabel Shields. Because Dad was so shy, he was completely devastated when Cousin Mabel got married right before school started and left Dad on campus alone. Had it not been for the encouragement of his roommate, Double E. Hill, Dad would have stayed in his room and not gone to class.
During Dad's sophomore year, he first met Millie Akin, a pastor's daughter from Texas. Because she was so beautiful, Dad was surprised that she would even pay him any attention. He fell in love with Mom, but Mom had another young man in mind. Never giving up, Dad won Mom's heart back shortly after he returned from World War II. They were married on August 22, 1947 in the Nazarene parsonage by Mom's Father, Rev. E. P. Akin. They celebrated 66 years of marriage on August 22, 2013. In their final days together, their love for each other became even more obvious.
During World War II, the sergeant in Dad's company disliked Dad so much that he took Dad's new boots away from him. The freezing temperatures caused Dad to have frost-bite. He was evacuated to an Army hospital shortly before the Battle of the Bulge began. Many of the men from his company were killed, including the sergeant.
No one could have had a better Father than Judy and I have had. The pickup rides to the farm became a classroom for lessons on life. Mom and Dad have been perfect examples of the Christian life, marriage, love for the church and safety of the home. Dad also enjoyed his role as Poppy to his grandchildren. Jennie, Robbie, Jonathan and Mendy enjoyed coming home for Christmas to carriage rides around Medford, wonderful meals around the family table and trips to the farm.
Although Dad was a farmer at heart, Dad's greatest impact on people will be as Principal of the Medford School system. Mr. Schuneman will long be remembered for the impact he had on young people's lives even if they learned about his paddle first-hand. General Dennis Reimer commented, "Outside of my parents, Don Schuneman was the greatest influence on my life."
Beth Blubaugh Morrison said, "Our parents worked together to keep us in line outside the school. Mr. Schuneman kept us in line inside the school." Dad's relationship with Christ was never clearer than in the last five weeks of his life. He asked every nurse, doctor and aide if they knew Jesus. Right before he died, Dad told Jonathan, "God told me I have done a good job and it is time to come home." He then added, "Do you hear the singing? Who is singing?" It doesn't get better than that!
Funeral service for Donald is Saturday, February 15, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. at Medford Church of the Nazarene. Burial will be at Rosemound Cemetery. Viewing will be Friday from 9:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m.
Memorials may be given to the church through the funeral home.
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