- Date Of Birth: Apr 2, 1953
- Date Of Death: Dec 3, 2022
- City: Missoula
- State: Montana
Donald Eugene Schindler, 69, of Missoula, passed away in his sleep on Saturday, December 3, 2022, at home with his family. Donald Fought a long and courageous battle with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis.
Don was born April 2, 1953, in Malta, MT to Frank and Luella Schindler. As a young boy he lived on a farm with his family. The family moved when Don was in second grade. It was nighttime when they arrived at their new home and when Don awoke the next morning, he saw snow-covered mountains for the first time and completely fell in love with Missoula.
After graduating from Hellgate High School in 1971, Don enlisted in the United Stated Army with full intention of serving in Vietnam. But by the time Don had finished his military training, the United States had ended its involvement with Vietnam. While changing military stations from Ft. Wainwright, Alaska to Ft. Bragg, North Carolina, he stopped off in Missoula and married Deborah Powell on September 28, 1974. Don was in the 82nd Airborne at Ft. Bragg and often jumped out of perfectly good aircraft.
Don left the Army in 1979 and the couple moved back to Missoula. Don enrolled at the University of Montana and ROTC program in 1981. He graduated in 1985 with a BA degree in Political Science/History and an Army commission as a 2nd Lieutenant. Don served in both Desert Storm and Desert Shield and retired from the Army as a Captain. After returning to Missoula, Don worked for a short time for Frito-Lay and then was hired on as a Detention Officer working for the Missoula County Sheriff’s Office, until his retirement in 2018.
Don was a devoted husband and father. He was a patriot and loved his country dearly. He had a wonderful sense of humor and became proficient in “Dad” jokes, much to his children’s chagrin. Don always aced the “History” category in Trivial Pursuit.
Don was preceded in death by parents Francis (Frank) Schindler and Luella (Tank) Schindler. Survivors include his wife Deborah and sons David and Daniel, Missoula. Siblings, Robert Ferguson, Ogden, UT; Bonnie McCabe, Brooklyn, MI; Jim (Cathy) Schindler, Missoula; Richard (Nanci) Schindler, Santee, CA; Jerry (Lisa) Schindler, Missoula; Sally (Jerry) Hoover, Stevensville and Michael (Mitzi) Schindler, Denver, CO; along with several nieces and nephews.
Thank you to the nurses and staff of Partner’s In Home Care for making Don so comfortable in his last days. Don was so impressed by the care he received.
