The New Era - All about Sweet Home since 1929

Sept. 30, 1958 – April 10, 2020

Daniel Fred Schroeder, age 61, of Sweet Home, passed away on the morning of April 10, 2020 peacefully at his home.

Although he entertained the idea of living a lavish retired life somewhere in Mexico, Dan took pride in his hometown, where he spent the majority of his years close to family.

He was born Sept. 30, 1958 in the coastal town of Gold Beach, Ore., and raised by his grandparents Fred and Marie Schroeder. Prior to settling in Sweet Home, his family spent time in Springfield, Ore., as well.

Growing up in Sweet Home, he attended Holley Elementary through Sweet Home High School. During his high school years he developed a passion for sports, lettering in wrestling and football.

Wrestling coaches Norm Davis and Ed Nieman instilled an insatiable desire for grappling that would remain until the end of his days. Aside from sports, he found time to develop an interest in wood working and the tradition of hunting, as well as a love of American muscle cars.

Dan chose to serve his country in the United States Navy, beginning in the fall of 1976 following his senior year at Sweet Home High. The majority of his naval career, spanning from 1976 to 1980, was spent as a hull tech aboard the USS Proteus stationed in Guam.

Guam offered an amazing underwater landscape that he enjoyed exploring while Scuba diving during his time there. His time while actively serving in the United States Navy would be highlighted by starting his family.

During these four years he would marry Gwen Sparhawk, the mother of his first two children, Jill and Daniel.

After returning home from the Navy, Dan began a job at a local homegrown company, Slip n Snip scissors, followed by a brief stint in local law enforcement. Before his retirement as a disabled veteran, he held a job as a supervisor at Rainier Wood Products.

Dan’s family would be further enhanced when his third child Whitney would be born in 1989. In 1997, he would marry Michelle Bowen, the woman who would be by his side until the present. With this union he gained a son, David, who was only 3 when they met.

His last 23 years, shared with Michelle, were filled with making memories while getting away together to some of his favorite locations: Camp Sherman on the Metolius River, Clear Lake, the California Redwoods and Lincoln City, to name a few.

Loading up in a recreational vehicle and getting lost on a camping excursion or vacation ranked high on his list of favorite things to do.

Dan took pride in his mechanical abilities and would lend his skills to others. In recent years he enjoyed ATVs, as well as the hobby of drone piloting and drone photography.

Preserving his love for wildlife and the outdoors through photography was often a daily occurrence granted by his beautiful Northwest settings.

Dan was especially proud to share photographs of a local herd of Roosevelt elk that he was fortunate enough to capture in recent months.

Making Dan’s acquaintance wasn’t ever a challenge. He possessed a proud, yet approachable presence that welcomed the opportunity for good conversation or an audience for one of his well told stories.

Lending a helpful hand was just part of his nature. He actively sought the opportunity to take care of those around him. His mischievous sense of humor made an impression on many. Finding strength through faith was a big part ofhis existence.

Being blessed in the role of grandfather began in 2010 for Dan with the birth of his first grandchild, Russell, followed by Tyson in 2013.

Cheering on his grandkids through life and sports filled his heart with an enormous amount of pride that was always boldly on display.

Daniel is survived by his wife, Michelle Schroeder; his four children, Jill Luke, Daniel Schroeder and his wife Shawna, Whitney Winslow and her husband Caleb and David Martin and his wife Jillian; his two grandchildren, Russell Schroeder and Tyson Schroeder; his sister Marie Goss and her husband Earl; his niece Crystal Cook and her husband Mathew; and nephews Johnathan Goss and Tommy Lewison.

Daniel was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Marie Schroeder; and his brother, Terry Lewison.

A private celebration of life will proceed when it is deemed appropriate.

“With Love and Respect”

Sweet Home Funeral Chapel is handling the arrangements.