Harold Schoessler

Harold Schoessler died at the age of 94 on May 27 in Spokane.

A life long resident of the Ritzville area, he was born Oct. 9, 1918, to Jacob and Pauline (Schmidt) Schoessler, on the family farm 14 miles northwest of Ritzville.

He graduated from Ritzville High School in 1937, and served in the U.S. Army as part of the first group called to duty from Adams County during World War II. He was in the last cavalry regiment formed by the U.S. Army, the 74th Horse Drawn Field Artillery. This made Harold one of the last horsemen of the U.S. Cavalry. He returned to the family farm where he worked and lived until marrying Doris B. Wise on Oct. 26, 1948.

Harold was involved with farming his entire life. He also worked and retired from the Washington State Department of Transportation. He was active throughout his 80s and into his 90s. He traveled to Europe to reconnect with Schoessler relatives who had returned to Germany from Russia; he went to Louisiana to assist the victims of Hurricane Katrina; and he proudly traveled to Washington, D.C., as part of the Honor Flight for U.S. Veterans.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Jacob and Pauline; two sisters, Mary Schwan and Hannah Lovik; and half-sister, Selma (Sally) Morrell.

He is survived by his wife, Doris of Spokane; son, Dale (Pam) Schoessler of Othello; daughters, Kathryn (Grant) Schumaker of Deer Harbor, and Carol Lee Frank of Ritzville; grandchildren, Tami, Lisa, Courtney, Angela and Sierra; great-grandchildren, Daniel, Chelsea, Wyatt, Brynley and Paytyn; sister, Esther Foley of Spokane; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A private burial was held at Eastern Washington Veterans Cemetery on May 31.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to Zion Philadelphia UCC, 301 E. Broadway, Ritzville WA 99169. Heritage Funeral Home of Spokane assisted the family.