Loyd Schemenauer

Loyd Schemenauer

Loyd G. Schemenauer, former District 4 wildlife biologist with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources in Newberry, and a resident of St. Martin Bay, St. Ignace Township, died Thursday, October 25, 2007, at his winter home in Plant City, Florida, following a prolonged illness.

Mr. Schemenauer was born November 13, 1919, in Bangor, Michigan, and was graduated from Bangor High School in 1938. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in forestry from Michigan State University in 1942 and served in the U.S. Navy World War II. He remained on active duty until 1949, but continued to serve as a reserve officer and interviewed area nominees for the military academies as the Naval Academy Liaison for the U.P. He retired from the Navy as a captain in 1979.

Mr. Schemenauer began a career with the Michigan Department of Conservation as a wildlife biologist in 1949, stationed in Lansing, Sault Ste. Marie, southeastern Michigan, and, in 1963, back to the Upper Peninsula, where he became the District Game Supervisor at Newberry. He retired from state employment January 6, 1979.

He continued a life-long passion for hunting and fishing, keeping meticulous records of his time in the woods, and, during his life, traveled throughout the United States and to about 40 countries, including three hunting trips to Africa.

He was a member of the Wildlife Society, Masonic Lodge, Toastmaster International (Able Toastmaster), Navy League Reserve Officers Association, Michigan Outdoor Writers and Exchange Club, and the Future Farmers of America. He was also an official measurer of trophy game animals for the Boone and Crockett Club.

His long-time friend and wife, Rosetta, whom he married November 30, 1990, survives.

Also surviving are two sons, William David Ewing of Tucson, Arizona, and Carl Andrew Ewing of San Diego, California; two daughters, Suzanne Regina Ewing of Portland, Oregon, and Barbara Jeanne Ewing of Blue Jay, California; four grandchildren, Missie Cole, Chelle Cole, William Ewing, and Natalie Ewing.

A funeral was held Thursday, November 1, at the First United Methodist Church in Plant City with the Reverend Earl Smith and Nancy Lambert officiating.

A memorial will be held in his hometown of Bangor Saturday, December 8, at 1 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church of Bangor with the Reverend Tommy Davenport officiating, assisted by St. Ignace United Methodist Church Pastor, the Reverend James Balfour.

A military service and inurnment will follow in Arlington Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Nature Conservancy, 4245 Fairfax Drive Suite 100, Arlington, VA 22203.