Michael Kent (Mickey) Schnedler, age 82, passed away on December 17, 2023, at Good Shepherd Hospice House, Manhattan, KS, after a prolonged illness. He was born on October 16, 1941, in Peru, KS, to Don K. and Lillian J. (Thorn) Schnedler while his parents were visiting her parents. Their home was actually in Wichita, KS, at the time, and that’s where he grew up.
In Wichita, he graduated from Wichita High School Southeast in 1959, and attended Wichita State University. He was always active in music, appearing in several musicals at Southeast, and he sang in choir as well as smaller ensembles. Mickey performed vocal solos at state competitions, where he nearly always received a top rating for his beautiful tenor voice.
Mickey met Phyllis Ruth Jackson at church camp when they were in Junior High. They were married in 1964 in Wichita, KS, and would have celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary next August 1. They had two daughters, Catherine, born in 1966, and Jane, born in 1969. In 1970, their family moved to Manhattan, KS, where he was the Supplies Manager of the newly-opened K-State Union Bookstore. He later served as Manager of the Bookstore. When the K-State football team was chosen to play in the Independence Bowl in 1982, their first-ever bowl game, Mickey was responsible for the KSU booth full of t-shirts, souvenirs and other memorabilia to sell to the fans attending the game.
After leaving the bookstore, Mickey was the In-School Suspension Supervisor at Anthony Middle School in Manhattan until his retirement. He enjoyed working with that age group, and teachers felt he was a good influence on the students he supervised.
Mickey has been an active member of First Baptist Church, Manhattan, KS, for over 53 years. He has served on several boards, ministries and has served as choir director at various times through the years.
Mickey is survived by his wife of 59 years, Phyllis, of the home, two daughters, Cathy Sutton of Oregon, MO, and Jane Schnedler of Manhattan, grandchildren Rebecca (Garrett) Derr, Oregon, MO, grandson Decker Sutton, Savannah, MO, brother David (Linda) Schnedler of Wichita, brother-in-law Doug (Beverly) Jackson of Severna Park, MD, several nieces and nephews, and many friends. He was predeceased by his parents, Don and Lillian Schnedler, sister Donna Kay (Schnedler) Thatcher, and his grandparents Thorn and Schnedler.
The family will greet friends during a visitation on Tuesday, January 2, from 5:00 –7:00 p.m. at Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Ave., Manhattan, KS 66502
Celebration of Life Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, January 3, at First Baptist Church, 2121 Blue Hills Rd., Manhattan, KS. Inurnment will be at a later date in Wichita.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, Manhattan, KS 66502. Contributions may also be sent in care of the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, Kansas 66502.