Donald Ray Schatz (Lebanon)'s Obituary
Donald Ray Schatz, son of William “Bill” and Maria Barks Schatz, was born September 24, 1938, in McGee, Missouri. He departed this life Saturday, December 12, 2020, in Mercy Hospital, in Lebanon, Missouri, due to complications from COVID-19, at the age of eighty-two years, two months, and eighteen days.
On September 11, 1959, he was united in marriage to Jean Caroline Smith and to this union one daughter and three sons were born.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Jean, on August 6, 2015; and a nephew.
Don is survived by a daughter, Sheri Rutherford, and her husband, Jay, of Lebanon, Missouri; three sons, Brent Schatz, and his wife, Maria Odle, of Lebanon, Oregon, Stephen Schatz, and Marc “Tony” Schatz, both of Lebanon, Missouri; three grandchildren, Heather Aufiero, and her husband, Ray, Mark Schatz, and Lindsey Boyer; four great-grandchildren, Michael Vetra, Nicholas Vetra, Samuel Aufiero, and Kaylin Aufiero; a brother, LeRoy (Schatz) Patterson; a sister-in-law, Judy Mormino, and her husband, Frank; as well as a host of other relatives and friends.
He was raised in the Eastern Wayne County, Missouri area and then served in the United States National Guard for several years. Don was a master auto technician who owned and operated a well respected business since 1972. He worked as a service manager for Eastburn-Smith Ford, owned and operated two full service gas stations, Texaco and Standard, and then opened a full service auto repair business until his retirement.
Don was a devout Christian and was a member of First United Methodist Church of Lebanon.
Since retiring, Don enjoyed traveling with his wife, Jean, and fishing from Alaska to Mexico and several places in between. His family was very important to him and he especially enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Don was a loving father, grandfather, great-grandfather and was a caring friend. We celebrate his life and know that he will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by all of his family and friends,
Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by Holman-Howe Funeral Home of Lebanon, Missouri.
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