Frederick John "Fred" Schwartze, of rural Vienna, was born on January 1, 1937, at Vienna, a son of Alfred Francis and Anna Josephine (Falter) Schwartze, and departed this life at 9:33 p.m., Monday, November 18, 2013, at his residence, surrounded by his family. Mr. Schwartze had been ill for the past few months and had attained the age of 76 years, 10 months and 17 days.

Mr. Schwartze was united in marriage on September 24, 1960, at Koeltztown, to Frances Mary Boeckman, and to this union, five children were born. He was preceded in death by his father on September 2, 1990; his mother on March 22, 2008 and one brother, James Schwartze on May 7, 1968.

Mr. Schwartze was a member of the Holy Name Society and a lifetime member of the Visitation Catholic Church, both of Vienna. He was a Fourth Degree Member of the Westphalia Knights of Columbus; and an honorary member of the Argyle Knights of Columbus. Mr. Schwartze was a former member of the Vienna Lions Club; was a member of the National Farmers Organization; was a former member and served on the Board of Directors of the MFA, and was a co-founder of the Stockmasters 4-H Club, Vienna. Mr. Schwartze also served in the Missouri National Guard. He was one of the first workers for South Central Stockyards, had worked for Castrop Plastering; and had worked for twenty-two years as a courtesy chauffer for Mike Kehoe Ford; as well as being a life-long farmer in Maries County.

Those left to mourn the passing of Mr. Schwartze include: His wife, Frances Mary Schwartze of the home near Vienna; three sons and daughters-in-law, Don and Pat Schwartze, Brazito; Andrew and Denise Schwartze, Linn; and Robert and Amy Schwartze, Freeburg; two daughters and sons-in-law, Nancy and Carl Davis, Vienna; and Margaret and Brian Ball, Paola, Kansas; five brothers, Bernard Schwartze, Jefferson City; Alvin Schwartze, Disputanta, Virginia; Martin Schwartze, Holts Summit; David Schwartze and Daniel Schwartze both of Vienna; two sisters, Betty Ann Holtmeyer, St. Charles; and Mary Jane Luebbering, Jefferson City; eight grandchildren, SSGT Samuel Davis; Shawna, Aaron, Rachael, Leanna, Hayden, Brianna, and Taylor; one great-granddaughter, Kaylie; and other relatives and friends.

A Prayer Service was held for Mr. Schwartze at 7:00 p.m., on Thursday evening, November 21, 2013, in the Vienna Chapel of the Birmingham-Martin Funeral Homes.

The Mass of Christian burial was celebrated for Mr. Schwartze at 10:00 a.m., on Friday morning, November 22, 2013, in the Visitation Catholic Church, Vienna, with the Rev. Msgr. Marion J. Makarewicz celebrating. Appropriate Catholic selections were sung for the Mass.

Interment was in the Visitation Cemetery, Vienna, under the direction of the Vienna Chapel of the Birmingham-Martin Funeral Homes. Pallbearers for Mr. Schwartze were Aaron Schwartze, Wayne Boeckman, Jim Matthews, Joey Shockley, Randy Boeckman, and Chris Boeckman. Honorary pallbearers were Roman Falter, Jerry Reinkemeyer, Brian Luebbering, Steve Schwartze, Chris Schwartze, Hayden Schwartze, Kenny Nuebert, Kenneth "Bud" Luebbert, and SSGT Samuel Davis.

Masses or memorials are suggested to the Vienna Catholic Church Window Restoration Fund with envelopes available at the Vienna Office of the Birmingham-Martin Funeral Homes.