Douglas “Doug” Rae Schwarze, age 88, of Sweetser, Indiana, passed away on Monday, June 5, 2023. Doug was born on May 26, 1935, to Hilda Schwarze in Greenwood, Wisconsin. He grew up with his mom above a little tavern in Racine, Wisconsin, where his buddy, Mike, Mike’s brothers, Tom and Joe, and their parents, Cliff and Beulah Sorenson, would pick him up to go to church. The Sorenson’s helped lead Doug to the Lord and are lovingly referred to by Doug as his “spiritual parents”.
Doug’s work in retail, after a short stint as a disc jockey, transferred him to the old Leath Furniture Store in Marion, Indiana. He would later work at General Motors for 30 years before retiring as a realtor at Century 21.
His transfer to Marion would lead him to his beloved bride, Carole. Doug couldn’t stay away from the music shop where she worked. On August 26, 1960, they were married in Sweetser, Indiana, and went on to raise two sons and one daughter.
Doug was an honorable, God-fearing, family man who found great joy in his wife, kids, grandkids, and friends. He was always known for his pocket full of mints in exchange for hugs, yellow treat box for good sportsmanship after athletic events, love for the Green Bay Packers and fishing with his buddy, Jack, playing cribbage with his family, enjoying time with his lunch bunch, and telling a good joke.
He was always interested in the lives of young people and “passing it on” just as his spiritual parents influenced him to do. He volunteered in Sunday School classes, coached little league baseball, and led the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) Choir with his wife at Oak Hill High School, where they were avid sports fans and held basketball season tickets for 50+ consecutive years.
Doug is preceded in death by his mother, Hilda. He is survived by his wife, Carole; his three children, Rob (Brenda), Rick (Paula), and Rita (Robert); his brother, Dick (Shirley); nine grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and his spiritual son, Rick (Kim) Flatford.
The family will receive visitors from 12:00 noon to 2:00 pm on Thursday, June 8, 2023, at Needham-Storey-Wampner Funeral & Cremation Service, North Chapel, 1341 N. Baldwin Ave., Marion, IN.
Immediately following the time of visitation, a service to celebrate Doug’s life will begin at 2:00 pm. Burial will take place at Maple Grove Cemetery.
Flowers can be sent to the funeral home. Monetary contributions will benefit GiGi’s Playhouse (5909 E. 86th St., Indianapolis, IN 46250), an organization dedicated to come alongside children with Down syndrome and their families.
Memories may be shared online at www.nswcares.com.
We love you millions and bushels and gobs! Bye for now.
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