Harold "Joe" D Schwab

Harold David “Joe” Schwab passed away on November 5, 2015 at the Ambassador in Nebraska City, Nebraska at the age of 86. “Joe” was born on October 14, 1929 to John Benjamin and Jessie Louise (Mallery) Schwab at Morrowville, Kansas. He moved to Washington Kansas with his parents where he graduated from high school in 1947. He was very active in band, choir, glee club, mixed chorus, boys quartet, F.F.A, Hi-Y, and various sports such as basketball, football, baseball, and track. He served as Hi-Y secretary, junior class treasurer, and senior class secretary.

After graduation he went to Fairbury Junior College receiving a two year diploma in May 26, 1949. He then went on to Peru State College where he received his Bachelor of Science in Education on August 18, 1951.
In 1953 he was drafted and selected for officer candidate school and was then commissioned for active duty in Korea. Joe fought in the Korean War as a Forward Observer. He retired from the National Guard as a Lt. Colonel. He received The Korean Service Medal, w/2B Bronze Stars and United Nations Service Medal.

Joe was united into marriage to Charlene Claire Patterson daughter of Robert and Betty Patterson of Rock Bluff, Nebraska on June 1, 1951, whom he later divorced. To this union were born Johnny Robert, Lisa Jaye and Scott Charles.

He enjoyed teaching coaching multiple sports and refereeing, watching sports and westerns on TV, playing cards and reading westerns.

Joe is preceded in death by his parents Benjamin and Jessie Schwab, his sister Norma Jean and husband Everett George Leeson, his brother Charles Blade and Mildred (Stewart) Schwab, his ex-wife Charlene “Pat” Schwab and his son Johnny Robert Schwab.

Joe is survived by son Scott Schwab, daughter Lisa and Steve Guthals, grandchildren Austin Guthals, Kari and Chris Mammen, Great-Grandchildren Alexis Grace Mammen and Chase Lee Guthals, niece Lana Criner, nephews Ron Schwab, Rick Leeson, and David Leeson and many great nieces and nephews.
Pall Bearers: nephews Ron Schwab, Rick Leeson, David Leeson, Matt Criner, Mark Criner and friend of the family Mike Howe.

Services will be November 11, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at the Gerdes-Meyer Funeral Home in Fairbury. The family will greet friends from 9 - 11 Wednesday morning at the Funeral Home. Burial will be in the Fairbury Cemetery. Memorials have been established to the Family's Choice.