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1929
Henry
2021
Henry Schnelker
June 26, 1929 — December 22, 2021
Henry A. Schnelker, 92, of Traverse City, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, December 22, 2021 at home with his loving family at his side.
Henry was born on June 26, 1929 in Flint, MI to the late Bernon J. and Gertrude M. Schnelker. He was the middle child of five. Henry was enrolled at an early age in St. Michael's Parochial School in Flint and graduated in the class of 1947. Soon after, he attended Flint Junior College transferring to Michigan State University after two years. He earned his degree at Michigan State in economics/business, graduating in 1951.
The US had entered the Korean War the year prior, so Henry enlisted in the Navy after his college graduation. He was selected for further training and was sent to O.C.S. in Newport, RI followed by training in the Naval Supply Corp. in Bayonne, NJ, where he was commissioned as Ensign. Afterwards, Henry went directly to the fleet and was named Supply Officer on the USS Putnam (DD 757), flagship of ComDESRON 22. After a training cruise to Cuba, the Putnam escorted the U.S.S. Wasp thru the Atlantic where they both joined task force 77 operating in the waters off North Korea. During this tour, he was promoted to LT. (j.g.). When their oriental tour was completed, the Putnam returned to Norfolk, VA thus completing the world cycle. His next assignment was Issue Control Officer at N.S.D. Mechanicsburg, PA. He was then promoted to Lieutenant.
When his enlistment expired, Henry decided to return to Flint to assist his parents. He took a job with the financial department of Buick Motor Co. and soon learned about most of the factories in the Buick complex. His career with Buick included assisting those factories in improving their financial reporting and implementing various corporate computer programs.
In June 1964 he married Meredith L. Harmon, the love of his life for 57 years. After a honeymoon in Bermuda, they had an apartment in Flint, until moving to Flushing, MI. They raised two great children. Henry retired from Buick in 1989 after 32 years of service. In 1994 he moved the entire family to Traverse City.
Henry leaves behind his wife Meredith Schnelker; daughter Elizabeth (Scott) Allen of Frankenmuth; son Alan (Jennifer) Schnelker of Mooresville, NC and two wonderful grandchildren, Sophie and Jackson; brother Robert Schnelker of Traverse City; sister Julie (Bob) Brown of Swartz Creek, and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; sister MaryAnn Roeser and brother James Schnelker.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to Hospice of Michigan.
Private services will be held.
The family is being cared for by the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home and Cremation Services.
Henry was born on June 26, 1929 in Flint, MI to the late Bernon J. and Gertrude M. Schnelker. He was the middle child of five. Henry was enrolled at an early age in St. Michael's Parochial School in Flint and graduated in the class of 1947. Soon after, he attended Flint Junior College transferring to Michigan State University after two years. He earned his degree at Michigan State in economics/business, graduating in 1951.
The US had entered the Korean War the year prior, so Henry enlisted in the Navy after his college graduation. He was selected for further training and was sent to O.C.S. in Newport, RI followed by training in the Naval Supply Corp. in Bayonne, NJ, where he was commissioned as Ensign. Afterwards, Henry went directly to the fleet and was named Supply Officer on the USS Putnam (DD 757), flagship of ComDESRON 22. After a training cruise to Cuba, the Putnam escorted the U.S.S. Wasp thru the Atlantic where they both joined task force 77 operating in the waters off North Korea. During this tour, he was promoted to LT. (j.g.). When their oriental tour was completed, the Putnam returned to Norfolk, VA thus completing the world cycle. His next assignment was Issue Control Officer at N.S.D. Mechanicsburg, PA. He was then promoted to Lieutenant.
When his enlistment expired, Henry decided to return to Flint to assist his parents. He took a job with the financial department of Buick Motor Co. and soon learned about most of the factories in the Buick complex. His career with Buick included assisting those factories in improving their financial reporting and implementing various corporate computer programs.
In June 1964 he married Meredith L. Harmon, the love of his life for 57 years. After a honeymoon in Bermuda, they had an apartment in Flint, until moving to Flushing, MI. They raised two great children. Henry retired from Buick in 1989 after 32 years of service. In 1994 he moved the entire family to Traverse City.
Henry leaves behind his wife Meredith Schnelker; daughter Elizabeth (Scott) Allen of Frankenmuth; son Alan (Jennifer) Schnelker of Mooresville, NC and two wonderful grandchildren, Sophie and Jackson; brother Robert Schnelker of Traverse City; sister Julie (Bob) Brown of Swartz Creek, and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; sister MaryAnn Roeser and brother James Schnelker.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to Hospice of Michigan.
Private services will be held.
The family is being cared for by the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home and Cremation Services.
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