Friar Philip Schneider
Possessing athletic grace and quiet strength, Friar Philip Schneider served God’s people with humble spirit, gentle compassion and most of all a deep love of God.
Friar Philip Schneider OFM Conv., passed away on Jan. 24, 2020, in Toledo. Born Donald Edward Schneider on March 18, 1934, to Anthony and Helen (Hoyt) Schneider in Lansing, Mich., he was predeceased by his parents; his brothers, Richard and James; and by his sister, Lenore Baty. He is survived by his sister-in-law, Barbara Schneider (Richard); sisters, Annette Thelen (Ronald), Cecilia Hamilton, Mary Wagner, Cathy Schneider (Linda), Theresa Rinkoski (Tom) and Pat Estelle (Bill); and brothers, Paul (Helen) and Bob (Brenda); along with many nieces, nephews and great-nieces and -nephews.
“He will be lovingly missed by his family,” said his sister Theresa Rinkoski. “His pastoral nature was very important to the family. He was always there, ready to listen and empathize. He was gentle, very gentle. He really cared about the people in his parish.”
Fr. Philip professed simple vows in the Order of Friars Minor Conventual on July 12, 1953, solemn vows on July 12, 1956, and was ordained to the priesthood on Feb. 19, 1961, at St. Paul Cathedral in St. Paul, Minn. In his student days at the Minor Seminary at Mount St. Francis in southern Indiana, Fr. Phil was a member of the basketball team that won the Paoli Sectional Championship in 1951.
Fr. Philip spent many years in pastoral ministry, serving parishes in Milwaukee, Wisc.; Chicago Heights, Ill.; and Terre Haute, Angola, and finally Clear Lake, Ind., where he served for more than 20 years.
Barbara Balbo, a parishioner in Clear Lake wrote: “Father Phil was always a humble servant of God and St. Paul’s Chapel. During sermons his lip would often quiver as he fought back tears when helping the congregation understand God’s unconditional love for each of us.”
Visitation will take place from 5-6:45 p.m. at the Basilica of Our Lady of Consolation in Carey, on Tuesday, Jan. 28, followed by a funeral mass at 7 p.m. The body will be received at the Chapel at Mount St. Francis, Ind. at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 29, and a wake service will be held that evening at 7 p.m. The funeral mass will be held at Mount St. Francis on Thursday, Jan. 30, at 11 a.m., with interment to follow in the friars’ cemetery. Memorial gifts may be made to the Province of Our Lady of Consolation, Mission Advancement Office, 103 St. Francis Boulevard, Mount St. Francis, Ind., 47146, or on the Province website: FranciscansUSA.org, where you can find a more detailed obituary and pictures from Fr. Philip’s life and service.
