David Schneider

David Leo Schneider, age 86, died in Fountain City, WI, on Tuesday, March 13, 2018.  He was the youngest son of Joseph N. and Francis Bion Schneider born in Winona June 28, 1931. Four brothers, Gerald, Robert, William, and John have preceded him.

After high school graduation, David completed tool and die/mold maker training and went on to work in that capacity for Miller Engineering, Lake Center Switch, Winona Lighting Studio and the family business Behrens Manufacturing.  In later years, he ran his own general machine shop Comstock Tool Company where he would offer his expertise of building dies, tools, and custom machine building.  His machine shop was his nirvana.  He loved the challenge of tearing apart and rebuilding anything with an engine.  He was a horseman, and an avid outdoorsman and adventurer.  Along with a close friend, he once piloted a pontoon boat down the Mississippi River, two Harley motorcycles and two bicycles aboard in case the opportunity would arise.  He traveled most of the U.S. on motorcycle, and attended more Sturgis rallies than a father should.

For a number of years, David along with his wife Patricia owned and operated the Elba House restaurant in the vicinity of the Whitewater State Park.

David would spend most of his life enjoying antiques. He would collect anything that met his criteria of old, rusty, or unusual. Broken didn't matter since he could fix it.   When he amassed enough of it he decided it was time to become a dealer.  Together he and Patricia operated River Road Antiques, Cochrane, WI, for a number of years.

David is survived by his wife of 43 years, Patricia Olson Schneider, Winona, MN;  two daughters, Catherine (Michael) Mulligan, Odessa, FL; and Linda (Tim) Sweeney, Verona, WI; one son, Joseph David Schneider, St. Petersburg, FL; five grandchildren: Erin Barrera Charlotte, NC; Adam Schneider, St. Charles, MN; Eric Schneider, McFarland, WI; Christopher Sweeney, Seattle, WA; Kelsey Sweeney, Madison, WI;  four great-grandchildren: Matthew Barrera and Katelyn Barrera, Charlotte, NC; and Brielle Schneider and Evan Schneider, St. Charles, MN.

A celebration of David's life is being planned for a future date, and will be announced later.

Please share condolences at David's online guestbook at www.watkowski-mulyck.com.

Watkowski-Mulyck Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.