“He fought the good fight. He finished the race. He kept the faith.” On Friday, June 5, 2026, Brent Schindewolf met his Savior.
Brent leaves behind his wife, his best friend & love of his life, Dee Schindewolf. They were joined in holy matrimony at Calvary Baptist on August 12, 1967. They were blessed with two children and their spouses, Tonya & Kevin Wallace and Aaron & Heather Schindewolf; three grandchildren & their spouses, Adam & Mattie Wallace, Samantha & Henry Chavez and Tarah & Michael Hoxsie; two step grandchildren, Sophie Smith & Parker Mayhew; twelve great grandchildren Rayn Hoxsie, Bishop Wallace, Hendrix Chavez, Baker Wallace, Hazel Hoxsie, Emily Chavez, Forest Hoxsie, Bo Wallace, Sage Hoxsie, Blaine Wallace, Miles Chavez & Ruby Hoxsie.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Raymond & Evelyn Schindewolf; older brother Ron & an infant brother; and his in-laws Orville & Lula Denham.
Brent grew up in the Milton area of Alton, graduated from Alton Senior High & SIUE. He was an educator at heart and his love for children spanned a 34-year teaching & administrative career in Alton Community District 11. He also used this passion to teach children about listening and note taking at his church. He led the Safety Team from its creation until recently, passing on the role to others he mentored. He also served faithfully as a Deacon for many years.
He was drafted into the Army in February 1968 & served his country with the 1st of the 42nd Field Artillery in Korea during the Vietnam Conflict.
He was in the Alton Chapter of DeMolay during high school, Assistant Scoutmaster with Troop 3 and earned his Wood Badge from Boy Scouts of America. He was a founding member of The Nature Institute, created Habitat 95, member of the Sierra Club. He established native prairies and received his master gardener and master naturalist certification. He was an avid lifelong birdwatcher. He & Dee shared this passion as part of their front porch retirement & passed on binoculars & identification of birds to many others. He logged a daily list of birds for just shy of nine years. He & Dee also became part of the Buck Knife family & traveled around the country displaying their collection & developing deep friendships. They won many awards.
He enjoyed reading, history, especially Lincoln & quality literature to children, planting, collecting, car shows, movies, traveling, Star Wars, target shooting, tractor rides with his grandkids & greats, and going out to eat weekly with their good friends Barb & Dan Sloan.
He will be missed. Great is his Reward.
Visitation will be at Fosterburg Baptist Church on Saturday, June 13, from 9 a.m. to Noon, with a Celebration of Life service to follow.
A special Thank You to Dr. Christopher Green and the BJC Hospice Team
In place of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.
Professional services through Paynic Home for Funerals, with an online guestbook and info at www.paynicfh.com.
