Eugene Schoendorf

Eugene "Gene" Carl Schoendorf, age 94, of Elsie, MI, passed away Saturday, December 19, 2020, at Ovid Healthcare Center, Ovid, MI.

A Celebration of Life Mass will be held at Holy Family Catholic Church, Ovid, MI on Saturday, June 19, 2021 at 12:00 P.M. with Rev. Fr. Robert C. Bacik presiding. Visitation will be held on Saturday from 10:00 A.M. until the time of the service at the church. Burial will take place at Riverside Cemetery, Elsie, MI at a later date. Gene was born in Detroit, MI on June 12, 1926, the son of Leo Joseph and Laura Catherine (Schemansky) Schoendorf.

Gene graduated from St. Johns High School in 1944 and immediately enlisted in the Navy. He served in WWII piloting a landing barge in the Pacific. Gene married Mary Jane Trierweiler on September 7, 1957 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Westphalia, MI.

As a young boy he pedaled papers and as a teen he worked at Andy's IGA in St. Johns. He went on to purchase a store in Elsie in 1964 - Gene's IGA.  Gene loved telling stories and visiting with the store patrons.  He was a community man and took pride in serving the community through the Lions Club, St. Cyril's K of C in Bannister, American Legion Post 502, Ovid-Elsie School Board, Board of Directors for Clinton Bank and Trust / City Bank.  Gene was instrumental in starting WOES and the Elsie Festival.  He took pride in helping those less fortunate and was a giving man.  Gene was an avid sports fan.  He loved to watch his children and grandchildren play sports.  His greatest sport was golf and could be frequently found at the golf course, even on his 90th birthday.  When he wasn't at the golf course he could often be found playing cards, fishing and telling one of his many stories.  He was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church, Ovid, MI.

He is survived by his wife of 63 years Mary Jane Schoendorf of Elsie, MI, children: Stacy and Tom Doubrava of Elsie, MI, Scott and Cindy Schoendorf of Laingsburg, MI, and Sarah and Ron Maynard of Elsie, MI. He is also survived by 7 grandchildren: Kyle and Bryce Doubrava, Ryan (Amber) Schoendorf, Riley (Jake Hicks) Schoendorf, and Molly, Ben, and Tori Maynard.  He is also survived by many nieces, nephews and friends.  He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Mary Jane Johnson, and brothers: Joseph and Gerald Schoendorf.

Memorials may be made to the Elsie Lions Club or to the Ovid-Elsie Community Fund (WOES or Athletics).  Online condolences can be made at www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com.  The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes, Elsie, MI.