William M. Schwartz, 89, U.S. Navy Veteran

Mr. Schwartz was born in Williamson, WV on April 30, 1925 the son of the late Frank and Gertrude (nee Richardson) Schwartz.

He was a member of the graduating class of 1944 at Williamson High School and was a tight end on the Williamson "Wolfpack" West Virginia State Champion football team. He received a bachelor degree in Business Administration from Cleveland College (Western Reserve University) and studied for his master degree at Fenn College and General Motors Institute. He attended St. Anthony of Padua Church in Lorain.

Mr. Schwartz was a Navy veteran assigned to the USS LST 849 during WWII. He earned the Pacific Theater Ribbon with one star, the Philippine Liberation Ribbon, the American Theater Ribbon, and the WWII Victory Medal.

He retired in 1990 as Head of Manufacturing Engineering at General Dynamics Land Systems Detroit, MI, following 9 years of service. Previously he was employed by the former Lorain Thew Shovel Co., General Motors Cadillac Tank Plant, and Detroit Diesel-Allison.

Mr. Schwartz worked to establish and was the first president of the Certified Management Club and the company’s blood bank at the Lorain Thew Shovel Co., assisted in the founding of the Lorain County Community College, and served as president of the Carolina Chapter of the LST Association.

He participated in many civic and community activities. He enjoyed golfing and bowling and was forever loyal to our Cleveland Browns.
The love of his life was family, around which he surrounded himself as often as possible. His family remembers him as a great husband, father and grandfather.

Mr. Schwartz is survived by his wife, Joan M. (nee Nelis) Schwartz, to whom he was married on December 2, 1950; sons, Dr. John A. Schwartz (Christine) of Medford, OR, and Dr. William M. Schwartz, Jr. (Paula) of Avon Lake; daughters, Nancy Schwartz of Cleveland Heights and Dr. Patricia Heilman (John) of Huron; grandchildren Lauren Schwartz, William M. Schwartz, III, Dana Schwartz, Mary Kazee, Jeremy Kazee, Christopher Kazee, Eric Rosso, John Heilman Jr, and Gretchen Heilman; brothers, Teddy Schwartz of Roanoke, VA, Arnold Schwartz (Ann) of Speedwell, TN, Paul Schwartz (Roberta) of Bean Station, TN; sister Carol Leffingwell of Chesapeake, OH; and many nephews and nieces.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a daughter Dr. Ann Marie Kazee, brothers James and Donald, and a sister Ethel Peck.

Friends may call Monday, September 29, 2014 from 4-8 p.m. at the Schwartz, Spence, Boyer & Cool Home For Funerals, 1124 W. 5th Street, Lorain.

Funeral services will begin with prayers on Tuesday, September 30, 2014 at 9:15 am at the funeral home, followed by a 10:00 a.m., Mass of Christian Burial at St. Anthony of Padua Church, 1305 E. Erie Ave., Lorain with Father Richard Hudak, pastor, as celebrant.

Burial will be at St. Mary's Cemetery in Elyria with full military honors provided by the VFW Post-Avon Lake.

The family suggests that memorial contributions may be made to The National Parkinson Foundation, Gift Processing Center, PO Box 5018 Hagerstown, MD 21741-5018.

Online condolences at www.boyercool.com.