Don Schirmer
Published: Sunday, November 01, 2009
A celebration of life will be held for Don Schirmer, 79, of Myrtle Point, at 5 p.m., Monday, Nov. 2, at the Oaks Pavillion at the Coos County Fairgrounds. Pastor Jeff May, of the Broadbent Community Church, will officiate.
Don was born Sept. 1, 1930, in Casper, Wyo., the son of Ernest and Mildred (Bayless) Schirmer. He died Oct. 28, 2009, in Myrtle Point.
At the age of 2, Don and his family moved to Junction City. He attended Junction City High School and was an active player in the drama club, acting in “The Mikado” and in the musical “HMS Pinafore.” That was his start of his love for acting. He graduated from Junction City High School as valedictorian. He then attended Oregon State University Pharmacy School in 1952. He did his internship in Reedsport and then worked for the Reedsport Pharmacy for about two years. The owner transferred him to the Myrtle Point pharmacy to run it for him. A year later, Don bought the pharmacy from the owner. After buying it, he had $20 left in the register to make change for start up. It was originally the Perkins Drug Store, one of the oldest drug stores in the county. After 47 years in Myrtle Point, he retired in 2004. Two years later, Don worked for the Safeway pharmacy in Coquille for two years and then finally truly retired.
Don worked and enjoyed his huge garden and produced enough to share with family and friends. He loved working on and sitting by his three-tiered waterfall fish pond filled with Koi and other exotic goldfish. It was his dream come true.
Don also was an avid sports fanatic watching any game on TV he could find. A dedicated Oregon State Beavers and Portland Trail Blazers fan, and last but not least, a St. Louis Cardinals fan. Don attended the World Series the year the Cardinals won and got a ball out of it, literally with signatures. Don was able to pursue his love of acting as he took part in the Sawdusters Theatre group for a couple of years. The first year as a thespian he played a gold miner, then he played a bartender. He was saddened when he couldn’t do the Olios because his legs were not able to keep up with his enthusiasm.
Don was a devoted Lions member for about 30 years. Being their treasurer and also was Sight and Hearing chairman. He was the ultimate caller at the weekly Lions bingo games, always bringing his unique sense of humor to all. He was part of the chamber of commerce and also was in the Jaycees Club when he was younger.
Don was a devoted Christian and attended the Broadbent Community Church for many years helping the church as treasurer. He loved to sing gospel music and read the word of God. Every Sunday he would make his famous sourdough biscuits and gravy or sourdough pancakes, a favorite of his family and friends. He had his sourdough starter for 35 years and loved to share his biscuits with the man’s breakfast group at church once a month. The pastor and his wife have movie night once a month and he was in regular attendance. He was a man who showed his Christianity in his daily living with all who were fortunate to meet him or cross his path. Don was truly a well respected and loved individual. He will be sorely missed by the ones who came into his life.
His family and friends can’t grieve too much, because they say he had a pact with the Lord. Don had a conversation that he was ready to go when the Lord was willing — he was not afraid. They take peace in that.
Don is survived by his wife and love of his life, Pat; two brothers, Wallace and Vangie Schirmer of Eugene and Marvin Schirmer of Florence; sister-in-law, Dora Schirmer of Eugene; four daughters, Vicki Pedersen of Portland, Donna Meenen of Myrtle Point, Kayleen and husband, Steve Renee of Salem and Sherri and husband, Mike Cartee of Rosamond, Calif.; stepchildren, Michelle and husband, George Carnes of San Antonio, Texas, Bobye and Mark Schneider of Albany, Paul Howell of Brookings, Douglas and Sharon Howell of Coos Bay, William and Veronica Howell of Coquille and Jeffery and Sabrina Howell of Brookings; 32 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by a son, Donnie Schirmer; mother and father, Mildred and Helmut Schirmer; brother, Robert Schirmer; and grandchild, Nicholas Howell.
Arrangements are under the direction of Amling/ Schroder Myrtle Point Chapel, 572-2524.
Don was born Sept. 1, 1930, in Casper, Wyo., the son of Ernest and Mildred (Bayless) Schirmer. He died Oct. 28, 2009, in Myrtle Point.
At the age of 2, Don and his family moved to Junction City. He attended Junction City High School and was an active player in the drama club, acting in “The Mikado” and in the musical “HMS Pinafore.” That was his start of his love for acting. He graduated from Junction City High School as valedictorian. He then attended Oregon State University Pharmacy School in 1952. He did his internship in Reedsport and then worked for the Reedsport Pharmacy for about two years. The owner transferred him to the Myrtle Point pharmacy to run it for him. A year later, Don bought the pharmacy from the owner. After buying it, he had $20 left in the register to make change for start up. It was originally the Perkins Drug Store, one of the oldest drug stores in the county. After 47 years in Myrtle Point, he retired in 2004. Two years later, Don worked for the Safeway pharmacy in Coquille for two years and then finally truly retired.
Don worked and enjoyed his huge garden and produced enough to share with family and friends. He loved working on and sitting by his three-tiered waterfall fish pond filled with Koi and other exotic goldfish. It was his dream come true.
Don also was an avid sports fanatic watching any game on TV he could find. A dedicated Oregon State Beavers and Portland Trail Blazers fan, and last but not least, a St. Louis Cardinals fan. Don attended the World Series the year the Cardinals won and got a ball out of it, literally with signatures. Don was able to pursue his love of acting as he took part in the Sawdusters Theatre group for a couple of years. The first year as a thespian he played a gold miner, then he played a bartender. He was saddened when he couldn’t do the Olios because his legs were not able to keep up with his enthusiasm.
Don was a devoted Lions member for about 30 years. Being their treasurer and also was Sight and Hearing chairman. He was the ultimate caller at the weekly Lions bingo games, always bringing his unique sense of humor to all. He was part of the chamber of commerce and also was in the Jaycees Club when he was younger.
Don was a devoted Christian and attended the Broadbent Community Church for many years helping the church as treasurer. He loved to sing gospel music and read the word of God. Every Sunday he would make his famous sourdough biscuits and gravy or sourdough pancakes, a favorite of his family and friends. He had his sourdough starter for 35 years and loved to share his biscuits with the man’s breakfast group at church once a month. The pastor and his wife have movie night once a month and he was in regular attendance. He was a man who showed his Christianity in his daily living with all who were fortunate to meet him or cross his path. Don was truly a well respected and loved individual. He will be sorely missed by the ones who came into his life.
His family and friends can’t grieve too much, because they say he had a pact with the Lord. Don had a conversation that he was ready to go when the Lord was willing — he was not afraid. They take peace in that.
Don is survived by his wife and love of his life, Pat; two brothers, Wallace and Vangie Schirmer of Eugene and Marvin Schirmer of Florence; sister-in-law, Dora Schirmer of Eugene; four daughters, Vicki Pedersen of Portland, Donna Meenen of Myrtle Point, Kayleen and husband, Steve Renee of Salem and Sherri and husband, Mike Cartee of Rosamond, Calif.; stepchildren, Michelle and husband, George Carnes of San Antonio, Texas, Bobye and Mark Schneider of Albany, Paul Howell of Brookings, Douglas and Sharon Howell of Coos Bay, William and Veronica Howell of Coquille and Jeffery and Sabrina Howell of Brookings; 32 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by a son, Donnie Schirmer; mother and father, Mildred and Helmut Schirmer; brother, Robert Schirmer; and grandchild, Nicholas Howell.
Arrangements are under the direction of Amling/ Schroder Myrtle Point Chapel, 572-2524.
Add Your Own Comments:
No comments posted.
