Date of death: 12/25/2020
Saint Meinrad Class: O 1957
Thomas Fidelis Schnellenberger, Sr., age 89, passed away on Friday, December 25, 2020 at Waters of Princeton.
Thomas was born April 24, 1931 to Oscar and Alice (Knust) Schnellenberger in Huntingburg.
Tom graduated from Huntingburg High School in 1949. After graduation, he worked at the family gas station, Crider Filling Station, until joining the Navy in February of 1952. He married Virginia Berg on October 25, 1952 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Jasper.
After completing basic training in San Diego, CA, he then trained in Memphis, TN prior to being stationed in Corpus Christi, TX. He received his honorable discharge from the Navy in 1956 then returned to Huntingburg where he worked at Roy Cox Oil Company until opening his own business, Tom’s Tire & Supply, Inc. with his wife in 1966. He retired from their business in 1993.
He was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Huntingburg, where he taught Religious Education to Juniors from 1966 to 1993; was a two term Parish Council Member, Server, Eucharistic Minister and Lector; started and coordinated St. Mary’s Church parishioner van transportation; and was a founding member and treasurer of RIAL (Religion In American Life).
Tom was a seven time president of the Huntingburg Merchant’s Association; member and 5 time past president of the YMI (Young Men’s Institute); former member and two term President of the Huntingburg Optimist Club; received Huntingburg Jaycees Distinguished Service Award in 1966 and again in 1999; founding member and former treasurer of the Huntingburg Herbstfest Committee; former President of the Huntingburg Chamber of Commerce; former treasurer of the Huntingburg Democrats; was a former member of the Serra Club serving as president three times and once as District Governor; served on the former St. Joseph Hospital Board of Directors.
Tom also served on the Huntingburg City Council representing Ward 2 for two terms, 1964-1972. He was a candidate for Huntingburg Mayor in 1991. He was appointed annually by the Dubois County Commissioners to the Huntingburg Economic Development Council from 1999 until 2010. He was also a member of the Jasper American Legion Post 147.
Tom is preceded in death by his parents; three sisters, Vivian Fischer, Dorothy Schmutzler and Judy Schnellenberger.
He is survived by his loving and supportive wife of 68 years, Virginia (Berg) Schnellenberger of Huntingburg; son, Thomas Fidelis Schnellenberger, Jr. and wife Jackie Simmons of Carmel; 3 daughters, Susan (Charles) Martin, M.D. of Rockport; Patty (Dennis) Boeglin of Jasper; and Mary (Richard) Roby of Huntingburg; 2 brothers-in-law, Joe Fischer of Schnellville, Bob Schmutzler of Henderson, KY; 9 grandchildren, 1 step grandchild, 8 great- grandchildren and 3 step great- grandchildren with 2 additional great-grandchildren expected in 2021.