Raymond “Judge” Francis Schneider, beloved patriarch and friend to all, passed into eternal rest May 20, 2025 at the Missouri Veterans Home in Cape Girardeau.
He was born April 10, 1927, to the late Cecilia (nee Loehner) and Theodore Leo Schneider in Koeltztown and grew up in Freeburg.
Judge paused high school to serve his country in the U. S. Navy during World War II aboard the USS Gen. John Pope (AP-110).
After leaving the Navy, he returned to Freeburg to finish high school.
Judge was united in marriage to Mary Bates in 1962 and moved to St Louis. Mary passed away in 1991.
He dedicated 45 years working for the Missouri Department of Transportation (MODOT), retiring in 1992.
Judge was then united in marriage to Helen (Durbin) Wenzelburger and moved to Bloomsdale. In 2023, he settled at the Missouri Veterans Home.
Judge lived a life defined by faith, family and friendship. A devout member of Holy Family Catholic Church in Freeburg and St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church in St. Louis. He was also a lifelong member of American Legion Post 0317 and VFW Post 7074. Judge cherished annual Christian retreats, church homecoming picnics, and other church events.
His warmth turned strangers into friends, and visits to Freeburg felt like traveling with the town’s unofficial mayor. Judge loved cross-country trips to visit loved ones, poker nights, and morning coffee shop gatherings.
He was preceded in death by first wife, Mary; parents, Cecilia and Theodore; and siblings, Bernard “Bennie”, Elmer and Albina “Beanie”.
Judge is survived by second wife Helen; sons Richard Schneider and wife Lisa of St. Louis and Frederick Schneider and wife Karla of Topeka, Kan.; grandchildren, Ethan, Donovan and Dayton; stepchildren, Michael Wenzelburger and wife Jackie and Diane Rhuling and husband David; and several step-grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be held from 9 until 11 a.m., Friday, June 6, at Vinyard Funeral Home in Festus followed by a service and interment with full military honors at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis.
Memorial contributions suggested to Holy Family Catholic Church in Freeburg.
Judge’s legacy of kindness and generosity endures in the hearts of all who knew him.
Arrangements entrusted to Vinyard Funeral Home in Festus.
