Paul Schnake Obituary

The Honorable Paul W. Schnake went to be with the Lord on November 12, 2014. He was born on March 7, 1918 in Melrose Park, Illinois to William and Anna Schnake. Paul was married to Martha Gill on December 28, 1945 in Naperville, Illinois. Judge Schnake was a graduate of North Central College in Naperville, Illinois where he met his wife Martha. He joined the Army in 1942 and served in World War II in the South Pacific where he attained the rank of Captain under General MacArthur. He was discharged in December, 1945 and entered Yale Law School. After graduation from law school, Paul and Martha moved to Aurora, Illinois, where he practiced law until 1968 when he was appointed as a District Court Judge in Kane County, Illinois. He served as Chief Judge of the 16th Circuit Court until he was appointed to the Illinois 2nd District Appellate Court in 1981. He served as an Appellate Court Justice until his retirement in 1986. He also taught at the National Judges School in Reno, Nevada.



Paul and Martha enjoyed camping, canoe trips in the Boundary Waters in Minnesota and Canada, and golf. They had an active social life with many friends. Paul and Martha enjoyed the opera and classical music. They were members of the New England Congregational Church in Aurora, Illinois. Paul was a Chicago Bears season ticket holder for 35 years. After retirement, Paul and Martha enjoyed travelling in their RV, and visiting friends and family. They eventually bought a winter home in Nokomis, Florida. In 1995, they purchased a home in Silverthorne, Colorado where they spent their summers. They moved to Colorado Springs in 2004 to be closer to family. Paul and Martha shared a 69 year marriage filled with love and companionship. They enjoyed helping others and contributed generously to many worthy causes, including the Empty Stocking Fund.



Paul is survived by his wife Martha, daughter Anne Schnake of Colorado Springs , son John Schnake and daughter-in-law Shirley Rhodus of Cascade, Colorado, three grandsons: Chris Lowe of Baltic, Connecticut, Chad (Chani) Lowe of Logan, Utah, and Ben Schnake, college student in Fort Collins, and four great grandchildren: Amanda, CJ, LuLu and Rocco Lowe.



He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Karl, and son-in-law Jim Fahrlander. A private memorial service will be held for the family.





In lieu of flowers please donate to the Empty Stocking Fund..