George D. "Butch" Schoneman Jr.

George D. “Butch” Schoneman Jr. of Elkhart Lake, age 83, passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 12th, 2023 at Rocky Knoll Health Care Center where he was a resident for the past 5 months.

George was born on May 1, 1939 in Milwaukee to the late George D. and Eleanor M. (Zimmerman) Schoneman. He attended grade school at Red Arrow School in Cleveland, WI and then high school at both Sheboygan Central and Howards Grove. George was proud of his involvement in the local Boxing Clubs, the Lakeshore Drift Busters Snowmobile Club, acting as their first “Trailmaster” and becoming an honorary alumni of Lakeland University and his later involvement with the Elkhart Lake Mens Service Club where he became known for his pithy comments. He also served as a constable for the Village of Howards Grove.

George met the love of his life Ruth while she was a waitress at the Log Cabin, which was then owned by George’s parents. On July 15, 1961, George married Ruth M. “Mumsie” Franz and together they were proud owners and proprietors of the Log Cabin restaurant in Howards Grove for 47 years. They were truly staples of the community they loved and were blessed to have had the opportunity to grow their family with all of their employees and customers. George enjoyed nothing more than spending time with friends and customers telling stories and jokes and he will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

George is survived by his wife of 61 years, Ruth; sons George (fiancée Andrea Jacobson) and Steve (Janice); granddaughters, Hailey, Katherine & Kathleen; brothers Robert and Kenneth; sister-in-law Carol. Along with his parents, George was preceded in death by his brother, Richard; in-laws Roland and Gertrude Franz; sister, Shirley.

A funeral service for George will be held on Sunday, March 19, 2023 at 4:00 pm at the Zimmer Westview Funeral Home, W2132 Garton Road, Sheboygan with Deacon Mike Burch officiating. Visitation will take place from 1:00 – 4:00 pm and he will be laid to rest in the Immanuel United Church of Christ Cemetery. If you are unable to join George’s family for his service, it will be livestreamed on his obituary page on the funeral home website.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established, however, nothing would tribute George more than you sharing a few stories with friends and buying a round of drinks in his honor.

 The family would like to thank the staff of Rocky Knoll Health Care Center, Sharon Richardson Hospice and Palliative, and Dr. Remington for the excellent care given to George over the years.