Charles F. Schneider, Jr. of West Milford passed away on Dec. 9, 2015. He was 92.
The son of Charles F. Schneider and Ethel Purdy, he was born and raised in Teaneck, where he met the love of his life, Ann Blum. They were married on April 22, 1944. During World War II, he served as a P-51 fighter pilot in the 8th Air Force’s famed 357th Fighter Group stationed in Leiston, England. Flying 23 combat missions and downing three German fighters, he earned the Distinguished Flying Cross with three Oak Leaf Clusters. Charlie returned home to raise three children with Ann and enjoyed a decades’ long commercial flying career.
He was a long-standing member of the Second Reformed Church of Hackensack, where for many years he ran their annual blood drive. Charlie retired to West Milford where he and his son, Steve, ran Happy Landing Marina.
He is survived by his children Charles, Sharon and Steven, and four grandchildren.
A graveside service took place at Woodlawn Cemetery, Bronx, N.Y. on Monday, Dec. 14, 2015.