Harry R. Schuneman

Harry R. Schuneman, 92, of Seneca, Kansas, died Sunday, March 16, 2003, at a Seneca Care Home. He had been a resident there since October 29, 1994.
     He was born February 2, 1911, in the Ford Community southeast of Seneca, the son of Louis E. and Alvina Hansz Schuneman. He attended the Ford School and helped on the family farm. While he was farming, he took a correspondence course in diesel mechanics. This course helped him in getting a job with the Southern Pacific Railroad in Los Angeles, CA. After moving to Los Angeles in 1936 at age 25, he decided to get his high school education. For three years, he worked nights and attended high school during the day and graduated from Lost Angeles High School. He worked as an engineer for the railroad until his retirement in 1976.
     On July 26, 1947, he married Roberta Jesse Kidd, of Portland, Oregon, in Clark Country, Nevada. They lived in Los Angeles. In February of 1976 they both retired and moved to South Pasadena, California. Shortly after moving to South Pasadena, his wife Roberta became ill and died September 15, 1976. After his wife’s death, Harry traveled extensively in the United States and throughout the world. In 1993 he had a stroke and moved to a care home, and then decided to move back to Seneca to be near his family.
     Harry did extensive volunteer work. His work group at Southern Pacific Railroad received a letter from President Franklin Roosevelt commending them for their efforts during World War II.
     Survivors are a stepson, Daniel Kidd of Reno, Nevada; a sister Grace Ford of Osage City, Kansas; and two step-grandchildren, nieces and nepnews.
     Besides his wife, he was preceded in death by four brothers, Clarence, Willis, Earl, and Paul Schuneman and three sisters, Helen Hayward, Alice Power, and Frances Schuneman.
     Inurnment will be beside his wife in Portland Memorial Cemetery, Portland, Oregon.
Memorials may be given for the Ford Cemetery and sent in care of Connie Claycamp, Rt. 3, Seneca, Kansas 66538.
     Lauer Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.