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Frederick “Fred” G. Schwartz, age 75, of Sturgis, passed on to Heaven on Saturday, December 3, 2022. He was born on July 23, 1947 in Sturgis, a son of John and Katie (Wickey) Schwartz. Fred attended Nottawa and Centreville Schools, later receiving his GED and going to Auction School. On November 12, 1971, he married Marilyn Miller at Locust Grove Mennonite Church.
Fred had worked at Wheel Camper and Finnerman’s. He drove bus for Centreville Schools for 42 years, and ran Schwartz Auctions since 1968 until present day. He was a member of Gideon’s International, and was a lifetime member of Locust Grove Mennonite Church, where he served his church in countless ways.
Fred lived his life based on 3 different principals; Faith, family and consistency. His faith was his cornerstone and was the building block of the man he became, the man that would lead his family and the man who stood out in a crowd as an example of what a man of God should be.
Fred’s family was everything to him and he loved and cared for them like none other. A man who challenged, smiled, laughed, and cried. A man with unconditional love for his daughter, his grandchildren and the spark and everlasting smile he had for his great-grandchildren.
What so many others will remember is the caring heart towards his other family. That family included his friends, community, auction goers, and pretty much anyone who Fred would run into throughout the day. He would buy you coffee, give you a jump start, pick you up when you didn’t have a ride, he would cut wood for your family, or he would just grace you with his smile after saying hi.
The most important principle he lived by was consistency. Fred never wavered, he never moved from his morals and he always stood by what he believed was right. He was consistent in his faith, he was consistent for his family and he was consistent in the legacy he now has left behind.
Fred is survived by his wife Marilyn Schwartz; daughter Katrina (Jim) Hasbrouck; grandchildren Ashley (Deric) Mostrom, Douglas Hasbrouck, Matt (Marissa) Hasbrouck, Aiden Hasbrouck; great grandchildren Emery Mostrom and Casen Mostrom, all of Sturgis. Also surviving are sisters Esther Mast, Mendon, Ony Keely, Sturgis; brother John (Jan) Schwartz, Sturgis; sisters-in-law Sandra Schwartz and Gerri Schwartz; brother-in-law Harry Troyer; many nieces and nephews.He was preceded in death by his parents; sister Josephine Troyer; and brothers Merlin Schwartz and Marvin Schwartz.
Relatives and friends will be received Wednesday, December 7 from 2:00 to 8:00 at Locust Grove Mennonite Church. Interment will take place Thursday, December 8 at 1:00 at Locust Grove Cemetery in Burr Oak. A memorial service will follow at 3:00 at the Church with Pastor Matthew Yoder officiating. Following the service a reception will be at Lake Area Christian School. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Locust Grove Mennonite Church, Lake Area Christian School, or Gideon’s International. Please visit Fred’s memorial page to sign his guest book or leave a message for the family at www.eleyfuneralhomes.com
