Donald Eugene Schindler Profile Photo

Donald Eugene Schindler

April 2, 1953 — December 3, 2022

Missoula

Donald Eugene Schindler

 

Donald Eugene Schindler, 69, of Missoula, passed away in his sleep on Saturday, December 3, 2022, at home with his family. Donald Fought a long and courageous battle with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis.

                Don was born April 2, 1953, in Malta, MT to Frank and Luella Schindler. As a young boy he lived on a farm with his family. The family moved when Don was in second grade. It was nighttime when they arrived at their new home and when Don awoke the next morning, he saw snow-covered mountains for the first time and completely fell in love with Missoula.

                After graduating from Hellgate High School in 1971, Don enlisted in the United Stated Army with full intention of serving in Vietnam. But by the time Don had finished his military training, the United States had ended its involvement with Vietnam. While changing military stations from Ft. Wainwright, Alaska to Ft. Bragg, North Carolina, he stopped off in Missoula and married Deborah Powell on September 28, 1974. Don was in the 82nd Airborne at Ft. Bragg and often jumped out of perfectly good aircraft.

                Don left the Army in 1979 and the couple moved back to Missoula. Don enrolled at the University of Montana and ROTC program in 1981. He graduated in 1985 with a BA degree in Political Science/History and an Army commission as a 2nd Lieutenant. Don served in both Desert Storm and Desert Shield and retired from the Army as a Captain. After returning to Missoula, Don worked for a short time for Frito-Lay and then was hired on as a Detention Officer working for the Missoula County Sheriff’s Office, until his retirement in 2018.

                Don was a devoted husband and father. He was a patriot and loved his country dearly. He had a wonderful sense of humor and became proficient in “Dad” jokes, much to his children’s chagrin. Don always aced the “History” category in Trivial Pursuit.

                Don was preceded in death by parents Francis (Frank) Schindler and Luella (Tank) Schindler. Survivors include his wife Deborah and sons David and Daniel, Missoula. Siblings, Robert Ferguson, Ogden, UT; Bonnie McCabe, Brooklyn, MI; Jim (Cathy) Schindler, Missoula; Richard (Nanci) Schindler, Santee, CA; Jerry (Lisa) Schindler, Missoula; Sally (Jerry) Hoover, Stevensville and Michael (Mitzi) Schindler, Denver, CO; along with several nieces and nephews.

                Funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m., December 7, 2022 at Garden City Funeral Home, 1705 W. Broadway St., Missoula. A reception will immediately follow. Burial will be at 2:00pm at Sunset Memorial Gardens, 7405 Mullan Rd., Missoula.

                Thank you to the nurses and staff of Partner’s  In Home Care for making Don so comfortable in his last days. Don was so impressed by the care he received.

                In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Wounded Warrior Project.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Donald Eugene Schindler, please visit our flower store.

Past Services

Don Schindler's Funeral Service

Wednesday, December 7, 2022

11:00am - 12:00 pm (Mountain time)

Garden City Funeral Home and Crematory

1705 W Broadway St, Missoula, MT 59808

Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text. Standard text messaging rates apply.

Reception

Wednesday, December 7, 2022

12:00 - 1:00 pm (Mountain time)

Garden City Funeral Home and Crematory

1705 W Broadway St, Missoula, MT 59808

Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text. Standard text messaging rates apply.

Don Schindler's Burial

Wednesday, December 7, 2022

2:00 - 3:00 pm (Mountain time)

Sunset Memorial Gardens

7405 Mullan Rd, Missoula, MT 59808

Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text. Standard text messaging rates apply.

Guestbook

Visits: 297

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors

Send Flowers

Send Flowers

Plant A Tree

Plant A Tree