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Joseph Lewis Scheier was born in Roy, New Mexico on December 18, 1922 to Lewis Peter and Mary Hanora Mitchel Scheier. He was one of nine children raised in the house next to the Ford Garage Dealership his dad owned. He loved growing up in Roy and enjoyed returning to his hometown to reminisce about times past. Over the years, he had a paper route, carried out groceries, pumped gas at the filling station, swept the bar and even cleaned the theatre so he could go to the movies free.
Joe was ornery from the very beginning. A reluctant but natural born story teller, those blessed enough to spend time with Joe heard stories of his mischievousness. Around the age of 10, he and a friend hopped a train headed to Arkansas to see his brother. After two nights hidden away in the coal car, they were caught by the conductor who put them on the next train home. On another adventure, Joe stole his sister Leota’s new car. His joy ride came to an abrupt halt when he hit the sheriff’s cow. Joe bought his first vehicle a 1927 Model T truck for $7.50, which he said they pushed more than they rode in it.
Joe met Jeanne Schallner at a dance in Springer, New Mexico when he was 19 and she was 14. They went to Roy to Regoni’s Dance Hall and Bar for their first date chaperoned by Jeanne’s sister Freddie. He spent a year in California and then joined the Marines in 1942. Joe was part of the first wave that stormed the beaches of Tarawa, the Gilbert Islands. Although his ship the Amtrac went over the reef enabling the men to get off on land, the 2nd wave of ships (the Higgins boats) got stuck on the reef and had to wade in with guns above their heads. With bullets flying everywhere, he was wounded and sent to Hawaii to recover. Joe rarely spoke of Tarawa. He was awarded the Purple Heart and discharged November 1945.
Joe and Jeanne married on April 4, 1946 and made their first home in Morencci, Arizona where Joe worked in the copper mine. Later they moved to the Schallner’s T-Bar ranch near Cheyenne Valley where they expanded their family. Their children attended school in Seiling where Joe and Jeanne rarely missed an opportunity to sit in the stands and watch their kids play football and basketball. The family bought a gas station. Weekends were spent camping at the lake, running jug lines, playing cards and teaching family members and half the town of Seiling how to ski. They later shared this love of camping with their 10 grandchildren and became their number one fans rarely missing a game.
Once retired Joe and Jeane took their love of camping on the road traveling
to South Padre, Phoenix, the Dakotas, California and numerous other places. Some
of Joe’s most valuable memories were of family reunions, visits to and from his
extended family and his 90th birthday celebration.
Joe rarely missed an afternoon at the café with a coffee cup filled to the top surrounded by the town he loved. On Sunday morning, Joe could be found at the Catholic Church in Seiling and he cherished his family there. We want to thank his caregiver Connie Randall.
Joe passed peacefully from this life at home on Thursday, October 25, 2018. He is survived by his children Rycke Scheier, Larry Scheier, Maggie Sander, Patty Hutchison and their families including 10 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife Jeanne Scheier, daughter Cathy Prophet, grandchildren Shaun Scheier, Kalaya Hutchison, parents and 8 siblings. His quick wit, ornery smile and handsome face will be missed by all those that are left behind.
Funeral Services will be held Monday, October 29, 2018, at 10:00 AM at the First United Methodist Church of Seiling. Burial will follow at Brumfield Cemetery.
Memorial Donations in Joe's honor may be made to the Area Medical Foundation or the St. Thomas Catholic Church of Seiling in care of Redinger Funeral Home (Box 236, Seiling, OK 73663).
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