Erna M. Schneider

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Erna M Schneider.

Erna M. Schneider, (nee Wedemeyer), age 82, of Wayne passed away peacefully on Monday February 6, 2023 while receiving the loving care of her family.

Erna was born in Jersey City and was raised in Teaneck, NJ.  She was one of two children to Henry and Meta Wedemeyer.  After graduating high school with the class of 1958, Erna went on to Marietta College for about a year.  She found employment quickly with Dunlap Tire where she worked as a secretary for about two years.  While at the Trinity Lutheran Church Youth Group in Bogota, NJ, Erna met a handsome young man by the name of Howard Schneider.  The two hit if off great and started dating.  As fate would have it, they fell in love and were married on July 14, 1962 at the Trinity Lutheran Church.

The newlyweds first lived with Erna’s parents in Teaneck while Howard was serving in the United States Military.  While residing there, they welcomed the birth of their first daughter Monica.  The family then moved to Oak Ridge, NJ and remained there for about five years.  During their time in Oak Ridge, their second daughter, Nancy was born.  In 1968, the family had their home built in Wayne and have been there ever since. 

Shortly after getting married, Erna decided that she would become a full-time homemaker.  This was truly Erna’s calling and where she genuinely flourished.  Later, when her children had grown, Erna took a job as a crossing guard with the Wayne Board of Education.  She worked as a crossing guard for many years until her retirement about eleven years ago. 

Erna loved to play Bingo and enjoyed the art of Crochet.  She was also an avid reader of romance novels and books about the Amish way of life.  She was genuinely outgoing and social.  She had a wonderful sense of humor that would bring smiles to the people around her.  Although she was very social, she loved spending time at home.  She and her family treasured their frequent day trips to Pennsylvania to visit Amish country.  Erna was always open and honest with people and not one to beat around the bush, she was always upfront and candid with those around her. 

Aside from all of Erna’s hobbies, talents, and interests, her greatest passion in life was for her family.  Nothing in the world meant more to Erna than spending time and providing for her family.  She and Howard cherished thirty-eight years of loving and loyal marriage until Howard’s passing in 2001.  Erna was not only devoted to her family, but she was also dedicated to her Lutheran Faith.  She and her family were parishioners of Trinity Lutheran Church in Bogota, NJ for many years and later St Timothy Lutheran Church in Wayne. 

Erna was truly a special person who touched the lives of everyone around her.  She will be sincerely missed by her family and friends alike.  Erna will forever be remembered as a devoted wife and mother.

Erna is survived by her two daughters; Monica Schneider of Wayne, NJ, and Nancy Van Horn and her husband Steven of Crossville, TN, her brother Richard Wedemeyer and his wife Marylou of Wayne, NJ, her nephew Richard Wedemeyer, Jr and his wife Lisa of Cedar Knolls, NJ and their children Kaitlin and John Henry, and her niece Laura and Kenneth Snyder and their children Bridget and Shawn of Fort Worth Texas.  She was predeceased by her husband Howard Schneider in 2001. 

Those wishing to make a donation in Erna’s name are asked to consider Friends of Wayne Animal Shelter, PO Box 3701, Wayne, NJ 07470.