Lula Mae Schneider

Lula Mae Schneider

PATTON, Mo. -- Lula Mae Fulton Schneider, 95, of Patton went to be with our Lord on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2009, from Perry County Memorial Hospital in Perryville, Mo. Lula had received care there for the past several weeks.

Lula was born March 11, 1913, at Patton, the daughter of James R. and Rosetta Fadler Fulton. She was the sixth of nine children. She married Vester Schneider in the 1930s, and they were later divorced.

Lula operated hair salons in Patton and Sedgewickville, Mo., for many years. Earlier she worked on the production line in the aircraft factory operated by a predecessor of the Boeing Corp. She was a member of the Patton United Methodist Church, was active in that church for many years and later attended services at the Reagan's Chapel United Methodist Church. For many years she was an active member of the North County Happy Old People's group and was a charter member of the Blue Creek Quilters.

Lula was a first-class gardener who loved raising flowers and vegetables and feeding wild birds in winter. She also loved playing scrabble, dominoes and card games and took considerable joy from being able to beat much younger competitors.

For the 30 years following the death of her mother (at age 100) in 1979, Lula was the matriarch of the large Fulton family. For lots of her nieces and nephews Lula served in many ways as a second mother. Her home was the place to go for relatives living great distances from Patton. The fact that she was a wonderful cook helped make visits to her home memorable experiences.

Lula's life is a testament to how satisfying and complete life can be when lived with others in mind. She had great appreciation for the natural world and her family and friends. Quilts and other handicrafts, gardening and cooking were among the components of a simple life, lived to the fullest.

Lula is survived by one sister, Charlotte Fulton Sturm of Fullerton, Calif. Also surviving is a sister-in-law, Geraldine Fulton Steffens of Frohna, Mo., and a brother-in-law, the Rev. Gerhardt Gerike of Babson Park, Fla.

Other survivors include 10 nieces, Carol Sturm Setinek of Hayward, Calif., Rita Fulton Matherly of Florissant, Mo., Claudia Fulton of Jupiter, Fla., Bonnie Fulton Bradfield of Sedgewickville, Carol Gerike Seyfert of Lake Wales, Fla., Paula Gerike Jolley of San Diego, Gloria Gerike Vogel of Spring Valley, Minn., June Sharrock McGraw of Berwyn, Ill., Verneda Hahn Womack of Perryville and Verdalie Hahn Duncan of St. Ann, Mo.

Thirteen nephews also survive, Edwin Leroy Blaylock of Pacifica, Calif., Jack and Henry Edward Hahn of Perryville, Harold (Bud) Sharrock of Sedgewickville, Dewel and Donald Sharrock of Patton, Robert, William and James Fulton of Patton, Gerald Fulton of Farmington, Mo., Curtis Fulton of Sedgewickville, Stephen Fulton of Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., Stephen Sturm of Fullerton, Calif.

Lula is also survived by many grandnieces and nephews and many dear friends, including especially Connie Brothers of Jackson; Donna Brotherton, Dorothy Stanfill Valeeta Robinson, Nelda Waller and Kate and Seth Perkins, all of Patton; and Vera Henson and Mary and Bud Snyder, all of Fredericktown, Mo. Lula kept in contact throughout her life with many cousins, other relatives and many other friends.

Lula was preceded in death by her parents and by four sisters, Lillie Fulton Blaylock, Lacie Fulton Hahn, Lona Fulton Sharrock and Letta Fulton Gerike. Also predeceasing her were three brothers, Hadley, Henry and Hansel Fulton. She was also preceded in death by three nieces, Catherine Rose Hahn, Joan Faye Gerike and Verna Blaylock Brewer, and by four nephews, Bobby Blaylock, William Hahn, Hansel Blaylock and Sammie Sharrock.

A time of visitation to honor Lula Schneider's life will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday at Liley Funeral Home in Patton. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the funeral chapel. The Rev. W.D. "Bud" Snyder will officiate. Burial will be in the Patton Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Patton Cemetery or to favorite charities.