Dennis J. Schnell, 93, Celestine

Dennis J. Schnell, 93, passed away at 8:27 a.m. on Tuesday, August 18, 2020, at home surrounded by family. 

Dennis was born in Celestine, Indiana, on April 25, 1927, to Albert and Cecelia (Herzog) Schnell. He married Shirley Beckman on May 29, 1957, in St. Martin Catholic Church in Siberia. 

He served during the Korean War. After the military, he worked for Breidenbaugh Concrete. He later became a self-employed lifelong farmer and worked on the Schnell and Son Sawmill with his father Albert. He also played guitar in various country bands around the Dubois County area. 

Dennis was a member of St. Isidore Parish – St. Celestine Catholic Church in Celestine, Indiana,  and the American Legion Post #147. He enjoyed family, farming, and country music. He loved hunting with his coon dogs and spending time with his family and grandchildren. 

He is survived by his wife, Shirley Schnell of Celestine; three daughters, Amy (Steve) Kendall of Dale, Rita (Greg) Wargel of Evansville, and Crystal (Jason) Evans of Ferdinand; two sons, Neal Schnell of Celestine and Lee (Danielle) Schnell of Celestine; 17 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; one brother, Charles Schnell of Jasper; three sisters, Sylvia Cottle of Raleigh, N.C., Darlene (Leroy) Frick of Dale, and Judith Schnell of Jasper.   

Preceding him in death is one sister, Mary Alice Prechtel, and one son-in-law, Jake V. Kimmel. 

A Mass of Christian Burial for Dennis J. Schnell will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, August 21, 2020, in St. Celestine Catholic Church, in Celestine with burial to follow in the church cemetery. The VFW Post #673 will perform graveside rites. 

A visitation will be held from 3:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 20, 2020, at the Becher-Kluesner Downtown Chapel in Jasper, Indiana. 

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Isidore Parish- St. Celestine Catholic Church. 

Online condolences may be made at www.becherkluesner.com.