Clair A. Schindler

Clair was born November 9, 1944 in Gowanda, the son of Norman and Merle (Finch) Schindler.

Clair honorably served his country with the United States Army.

A New York state retiree, Clair was the head cook for the Collins Correctional Facility. He had more than 30 years of state employment at the time of his retirement. Clair attended the Gowanda Free Methodist Church. He was a life member of the American Legion Post 409 and the James Cruden VFW Post 5007, both of Gowanda. Other memberships include the Gowanda Moose Lodge 1382 and the Slovenian Club. Clair enjoyed playing cards several times a week, and he enjoyed playing euchre with his brother Buster at the Slovenian Club and Moose.

Clair married the former Lucille Gullo on February 25, 1984 in Collins; Lucy survives. Clair is also survived by three daughters, Candi (Jim) Villa of Perrysburg, Katherine (Tedd) Gabel of Gowanda and Lucy Ward, also of Gowanda; grandchildren, Kristopher Kilby, Alexa, Zachary and Paige Gabel; great-grandchildren, Amelya and Archer Kilby; along with two brothers, Hugh "Buster" (Jacqueline) Schindler of Gowanda and Bruce Schindler of Oklahoma; a sister, Lela (William) Struble of North Otto; nieces, nephews, great and great-great also survive. Besides his parents, Clair was preceded in death by a grandson, Nicholas Kilby; four brothers, Eugene (Muriel) Schindler, Norman (wife Lillian survives) Schindler, Bryne (wife Joann survives) Schindler and Dale (wife Nancy survives) Schindler; a sister, Patricia Geil; and a nephew, William E. Struble.

Friends may call at the Schindler Funeral Home, 44 Center St., Gowanda from 2:00-4:00 PM and 7:00-9:00 PM on Sunday, February 19, where funeral services will be held with full Military Honors on Monday, Februar 20 at 11:00 AM. Pastor Timothy McKeever will be officiating. Interment will be in the Pine Grove Cemetery.

If desired, memorials may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, PO Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675-8517.

Obituary from the Observer