BRINY BREEZES — Frederick “Pete” Schoeni, a resident of Beloit, Ohio, and Briny Breezes passed away on Nov. 11 in Ohio. He was 85 years old.
“His motto in life was, whatever you do, you have a responsibility to do your best,” said his daughter Bonnie Pinkerton.
Mr. Schoeni was a lifelong farmer in Ohio, raising cattle, chickens and potatoes. During the farming off-season, he and Violet, his wife of 65 years, spent their time traveling in Florida in their motor home, stopping every season in Delray Beach where each of their parents had retired. In 1986, Mr. Schoeni and his wife bought a place in Briny Breezes. He was actively involved in the Square Dance Club, which his wife’s parents founded, and enjoyed swimming and golfing.
“He and my mother were wonderful dancers,” said Ms. Pinkerton. “He was always whistling and singing. He was a very happy person.”
Said John Legrow, a fellow square dancer and swimmer, “He often talked in swim classes about how much he enjoyed working on the farm.”
“He was a grand gentleman,” said another square dancer, Kay Hall. Mr. Schoeni was a paratrooper in the Army during WWII, but was never sent overseas. “He played on the Army baseball team, and before he was sent over he got pulled out because they needed a catcher for some sort of base playoff game. As soon as the games were over, so was the war,” said Ms. Pinkerton. “He was a huge sports fan, particularly baseball and Ohio State football.”
He held memberships in the West Branch Future Farmers of America, the Columbiana County 4-H Club, the Sebring Masonic Lodge No. 626, and Bethel United Church of Christ in Ohio.
He is survived by his wife Violet (Myers) Schoeni; daughters Barbara (Gary) Peters of Alliance, Bonnie Pinkerton of Alliance, Patty (Bob) Brogan of Beloit, JoAnne (Bill) Meier of Beloit; eight grandchildren, Curt (Melissa) Brogan of Canal Winchester, Ohio, Jeff Brogan of Beloit, Brad (Marci) Brogan of Nashville , Tenn., Angela (Brad) Martin of Wichita, Kansas, Matthew Meier of Beloit, Michelle (Eric) Gibbons of Alliance, Trisha (Aaron) Dillon of Alliance, Dr. Christopher (Jennifer) Peters of Perrysburgh, Ohio and six great-grandchildren. He is also survived by two brothers, Dale Schoeni of Beloit and Kenny Schoeni of Bowling Green, Ohio.
Memorial contributions can be made the West Branch Alumni Association 14277 Main St., Beloit, Ohio 44609 or Alzheimer’s Assistance and Referral Network, P.O. Box 3383, Youngstown, OH 44513. Friends may send condolences and sign the guest register online at www.grfuneralhome.com.
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