Clayton Schnoebelen

CLAYTON H. "CLAY" SCHNOEBELEN

Cedar Rapids

Clayton H. "Clay" Schnoebelen, 89, of Cedar Rapids, died peacefully on Saturday, April 30, 2016, at St. Luke's Hospital. Funeral Mass: 10:30 a.m. on Saturday at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. The Rev. Christopher Podhajsky will officiate. Entombment at Mount Calvary Cemetery. Friends may call at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday. There will also be a visitation at the church after 9:30 a.m. Saturday. Per Clay's request, the casket will be closed at all times.

Survivors include his wife, Edith; a son, Steve (Janet) of Naperville, Ill.; two daughters, Diane Schnoebelen-Kramer (Mark) of Cedar Rapids and Lisa (Terry) Tow of Springfield, Ill.; and two sisters, Rosemary Goldsmith of Monticello and Jean Fear of Cedar Rapids. He also is survived by five grandchildren, Kati and Kevin Schnoebelen, Derek and Kristin Kramer and Amber (Adam) Craig; and one great-grandchild, Chandler Craig. He was preceded in death by one sister, Joan Nekola; and two brothers, Norman and the Rev. Father Kenneth Schnoebelen. Clay was born on Dec. 21, 1926, in Cedar Rapids, the son of Fredrick and Amelia Knebel Schnoebelen. He married Edith M. Monserud on Jan. 4, 1954, in Cedar Rapids. Clay was a sales rep for R.J. Reynolds/Nabisco and retired from there after more than 35 years of service. After retirement he worked at the Dial Corporation.

Clay was a faithful member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church and attended daily Mass there. He was very active, and fitness was a big part of his life as he was a regular at the YMCA. Clay was an avid Notre Dame football fan.

Clay was a conversationalist with a wonderful sense of humor. He was a master at putting things in perspective, and his wisdom and advice stayed with all who were fortunate enough to cross his path. His outgoing personality and friendliness made him a joy to be around. He loved pets, especially Snoopy, Happy, Sammy and Max. His family was his top priority. You could always find him outside playing ball with his kids and grandchildren. One of his greatest joys was watching his grandchildren at their athletic events and activities. Clay enjoyed playing golf at many prestigious golf courses, including Pebble Beach, Spyglass Hill, Cog Hill and Eagle Ridge, and was proud of his hole in one at St. Andrews Golf Course.

His job at R.J. Reynolds included selling candy, gum and mints, which he enjoyed giving to the neighborhood kids, who affectionately called him the "Candy Man." Clay was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather and friend, whose memory will be cherished by all who knew and loved him.

A memorial fund has been established.

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