Richard Lee Schanze
May 23rd, 1940 - July 14th, 2024
Share Book of Memories with a Friend
Please enter the name and email details so that we can send your friend a link to the online tribute. No names or addresses will be collected by using this service.
Richard's Obituary
Richard Lee Schanze was born May 23, 1940, in Sterling, IL. He was baptized July 13, 1940. He was confirmed April 11, 1954, into the Missouri Synod Lutheran Church. He passed away peacefully on Sunday July 14, 2024, with his loving wife and children at his side.
He graduated in 1958 from DeWitt High School in DeWitt, IA, and in 1962 from the University of Iowa. (Go Hawks!) He spent his first two years after graduation as a federal bank examiner. He then moved to his first banking job as an executive at the former Hackley Union National Bank in Muskegon, MI. Richard was hired in 1975 by John Stubblefield as executive vice president of People’s State Bank, beginning his long banking career in St. Joseph, MI. He touched countless lives through his kindness, generosity and entrepreneurial spirit. Many community members have said Richard provided their first home mortgage or first business loan giving them the foundation needed to prosper.
Richard married his wife Marilyn (Norris) Schanze on Jan. 5, 1980. Richard and Marilyn significantly contributed to the St. Joseph and Benton Harbor communities, being fundamental in the success of organizations like Cornerstone Alliance, St. Joseph Today, and Berrien Community Foundation. With Marilyn’s championing of the arts, they were influential in bringing Richard Hunt’s sculptural concepts to the area through the Community Renewal Through the Arts initiative.
After his retirement in 1998, he and Marilyn relocated to the island of Curacao where they carried on their commitment to philanthropy. Richard served on the board of the Downtown Management Organization, helping to beautify the Punda area and assisting local entrepreneurs. Richard and Marilyn connected to the arts in Curacao as they did in the states, hosting multiple exhibitions in their historic landhuis as well as worldwide to showcase the talents of Caribbean artists.
Richard was a family man who enjoyed numerous fishing trips with his brother David, sons and nephews and hiking with his daughter Jennifer. He and Marilyn shared their good fortune and unconditional love with their own children and grandchildren, as well as nieces, nephews, adopted children and families throughout their lives. Together they created amazing memories through travel, education and events that left lasting impressions carried forever in the hearts of his loved ones.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Freddie and Ethel Schanze; brother Joel Schanze; nephew Mark Schanze; and grandchildren Anthony and Grace Nicholas. Surviving are his wife Marilyn; children, Jeff (Sandra) Schanze, Jennifer (James) Nicholas, and Scott (Colleen) Allers; grandchildren, Jacy (Jeremy) Crable, Jimmy Nicholas, and Elijah Nicholas; great-granddaughter Joey Crable; brother David (Mary Ann) Schanze; Sister Billie Jeanne Meyer; brother-in-law Raja Choucair; his dear nieces Nadia Choucair (partner Tyler Spratt), Maya (Keaton) Hong, Leila (Vincent Patton) Choucair; and other beloved nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Sunday, July 28, 2024, at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Bettendorf, IA. The family will greet relatives and friends at a luncheon following in the church fellowship hall.
The funeral will be at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Road, St. Joseph, MI, on Saturday, Aug. 3, 2024, with visitation at 9:30 a.m. and service at 11:00 a.m.
Memorials may be made to Our Savior Lutheran Church, 3775 Middle Road, Bettendorf, IA 52722, or online at the funeral home’s website. Arrangements have been entrusted to Starks & Menchinger Chapel & Cremation Services – St. Joseph, 269-556-9450.
He graduated in 1958 from DeWitt High School in DeWitt, IA, and in 1962 from the University of Iowa. (Go Hawks!) He spent his first two years after graduation as a federal bank examiner. He then moved to his first banking job as an executive at the former Hackley Union National Bank in Muskegon, MI. Richard was hired in 1975 by John Stubblefield as executive vice president of People’s State Bank, beginning his long banking career in St. Joseph, MI. He touched countless lives through his kindness, generosity and entrepreneurial spirit. Many community members have said Richard provided their first home mortgage or first business loan giving them the foundation needed to prosper.
Richard married his wife Marilyn (Norris) Schanze on Jan. 5, 1980. Richard and Marilyn significantly contributed to the St. Joseph and Benton Harbor communities, being fundamental in the success of organizations like Cornerstone Alliance, St. Joseph Today, and Berrien Community Foundation. With Marilyn’s championing of the arts, they were influential in bringing Richard Hunt’s sculptural concepts to the area through the Community Renewal Through the Arts initiative.
After his retirement in 1998, he and Marilyn relocated to the island of Curacao where they carried on their commitment to philanthropy. Richard served on the board of the Downtown Management Organization, helping to beautify the Punda area and assisting local entrepreneurs. Richard and Marilyn connected to the arts in Curacao as they did in the states, hosting multiple exhibitions in their historic landhuis as well as worldwide to showcase the talents of Caribbean artists.
Richard was a family man who enjoyed numerous fishing trips with his brother David, sons and nephews and hiking with his daughter Jennifer. He and Marilyn shared their good fortune and unconditional love with their own children and grandchildren, as well as nieces, nephews, adopted children and families throughout their lives. Together they created amazing memories through travel, education and events that left lasting impressions carried forever in the hearts of his loved ones.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Freddie and Ethel Schanze; brother Joel Schanze; nephew Mark Schanze; and grandchildren Anthony and Grace Nicholas. Surviving are his wife Marilyn; children, Jeff (Sandra) Schanze, Jennifer (James) Nicholas, and Scott (Colleen) Allers; grandchildren, Jacy (Jeremy) Crable, Jimmy Nicholas, and Elijah Nicholas; great-granddaughter Joey Crable; brother David (Mary Ann) Schanze; Sister Billie Jeanne Meyer; brother-in-law Raja Choucair; his dear nieces Nadia Choucair (partner Tyler Spratt), Maya (Keaton) Hong, Leila (Vincent Patton) Choucair; and other beloved nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Sunday, July 28, 2024, at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Bettendorf, IA. The family will greet relatives and friends at a luncheon following in the church fellowship hall.
The funeral will be at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Road, St. Joseph, MI, on Saturday, Aug. 3, 2024, with visitation at 9:30 a.m. and service at 11:00 a.m.
Memorials may be made to Our Savior Lutheran Church, 3775 Middle Road, Bettendorf, IA 52722, or online at the funeral home’s website. Arrangements have been entrusted to Starks & Menchinger Chapel & Cremation Services – St. Joseph, 269-556-9450.
Memorial Contributions
Service Details
View the current service details below. Sign up for email or text updates to receive notifications of any changes to service schedules or important information.