Michael W. "Mike" Schneider, age 75, passed away peacefully on the morning of September 13, 2026, while in hospice care at the Salem VA Medical Center, surrounded by the gratitude and love of his family.

Born in Atlanta, Georgia, on December 21, 1950, Mike grew up in Georgetown, South Carolina. He proudly answered the call to serve his country in the United States Air Force from 1969 to 1980. Stationed initially at Shaw Air Force Base in Sumter, South Carolina, he met the love of his life, Jean. Marrying Jean at the age of 21, Mike immediately stepped into the role of a devoted father to her two young children, building a family grounded in love, loyalty, and commitment.

Shortly after their marriage, Mike deployed during the Vietnam War to Udorn Royal Thai Air Base, serving as a Photographic Interpreter providing crucial intelligence support in an extremely active Forward Operating Base, before returning to complete his service at Shaw AFB.

Sumter remained their home for many years until 1984, when the family relocated to Roanoke, Virginia, for Mike to serve as the Corporate Human Resources Director for Advance Auto Parts.

Mike possessed a naturally creative spirit and a lifelong passion for working with his hands. He later channeled that craftsmanship into a second career, eventually retiring as a skilled CNC machinist in Roanoke. Outside of work, Mike lived life with enthusiasm—he loved riding motorcycles, spending cherished time with his family, and sharing laughter and good times with his many friends.

Above all, central to Mike’s life was his profound faith and love of God. Raised in the Jewish faith, Mike experienced a transformative spiritual rebirth in 2001 when he accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Savior. His walk with Christ shaped his heart, filled him with enduring hope, and gave him deep peace.

He was preceded in death by his beloved parents, Cecil and Anne Schneider, and his cherished wife, Jean B. Schneider.

Mike’s legacy lives on through his family: his sister, Deb Smith, and brother-in-law, Alan Sherlock; his two children, Jennie S. Rush and her husband Michael Rush Sr., and Samuel M. Schneider and his wife Susan R. Schneider; his four grandchildren, Michael Rush, Laura Schneider, Adam Schneider, and Natalie Schneider; and his two great-grandchildren, River Rush and Mazie Rush.

A memorial service celebrating Mike's life and faith will be held at First Baptist Church Faith Chapel in Roanoke, Virginia on Thursday, October 1st, 2026, at 10 AM.

Military honors and interment alongside his wife will take place at the Southwest Virginia Veterans Cemetery in Dublin, Virginia at 2 PM.

The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to the hospice team at the Salem VA Medical Center for their compassionate care and dignity provided to Mike in his final days.