Leo Vincent Schachle Sr. (4-17-09) services 4-23-09

Leo Vincent Schachle, Sr., 73, passed away Friday, April 17, at Memphis VA Medical Center. Born Nov. 2, 1935, he was one of 11 children born to the late George and Genevieve Schachle. He lived in Biglerville, Penn.; Anchorage, Alaska; and Savannah, Tenn. He was self-employed as a well driller and a commercial/industrial water system contractor. He was an active member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Savannah (past president of the parish council and chairman of the building committee), active in the Knights of Columbus (past Grand Knight, District Deputy, and past Faithful Navigator), and a past president of the Alaska Water Well Association. He was also active in Marriage Encounter, Cursillo, and Civil Air Patrol. He also served his country as a member of the U.S. Army in Korea. Mr. Schachle was preceded in death by his daughter Diana Lynn “Muffie” Schachle; his brothers, George Jr., Lawrence, Steve, and Dale Schachle; and by sisters, Geneva Roth and Lucille Redding. He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Sherrie Schachle, and five children: Shireen “Shi” (Brian) Darbyshire, Debbie (Mark) Dunaway, Leo Vincent “Vince” Jr., Daniel (Michelle), and David. And 17 grandchildren: Keith and Brooke Schachle of Clifton, Tenn.; Tyler, Nicholas, and Megan Dunaway of Jackson, Tenn.; Hunter and Maggie Darbyshire of Pensacola, Fla.; and Jessica, Chelsea, Diana, Danielle, Nathan, Genevieve, Mary Claire, Joseph, Isabella, and “little” Leo Schachle of Chattanooga, Tenn. He also is survived by two sisters, Marie Miller of Orange, Calif., and Clara Riley of Pensacola; two brothers, Michael Schachle of Wasilla, Alaska, and Patrick Schachle of Fairbanks, Alaska –and 58 beloved nieces and nephews. Visitation begins at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, April 22, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Savannah. A Mass will be said in his honor from 6:30 to 7:15 p.m., and then visitation will continue until the 9 p.m. Rosary. His Funeral Mass is 2 p.m., Thursday, April 23, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Burial, with military honors, will follow immediately at Neill Cemetery in Hardin County. Donations may be made to the “Leo Schachle Memorial Fund” at Central Bank, P.O. Box 1207, Savannah, Tenn. 38372. Donations will be made to Leo’s favorite charities, including the St. Mary’s Building Fund, the local cancer society, and the Knights of Columbus.