Edward Joseph “Joe” Schneider III, 79, of Annville, passed away on Sept. 26, 2025. Joe was the son of the late Edward Joseph Schneider II and Sara Schneider. Joe is survived by his wife, Mary Theresa (Gidaro) Schneider (Tee); daughter, Talia Sawich, wife of Jon; son, Ryan Schneider, husband of Iwona; grandchildren, Trenton, Isabella, Sophia Sawich, and Collin Schneider; sister, Linda Starry; and brothers, Gregory Schneider and Michael Schneider, husband of Sheryl.
Growing up in Annville, Joe showed innate athletic ability in all sports, but basketball is the one for which he is most remembered. He was 1st Team All-County in the Lebanon Co. League both his junior and senior years at Annville-Cleona. He narrowly missed being the county’s leading scorer as a junior but established a league record at the time for scoring during his senior year as the team went undefeated in league play. He was selected 4th Team All-State and Honorable Mention All-American his senior year.
His defense was even better than his offense, which is why Coach Dehart recruited him to Millersville State College (now MU). He joined a team that had a record of 8-14, but Joe was the missing piece. He was the point man on a stifling full-court press that filled Brooks Hall to the rafters. The team averaged 98.9 points in his sophomore year and 101.8 points in his junior year. Many of the points came off steals that turned into layups, and no one in Millersville history stole as much as Joe. His career record of 4.4 steals per game will probably never be broken, as the closest player has 2.4. In his junior year, he had 5.5 steals per game, which is not just a Millersville season record but still stands as the PSAC Conference record. In his senior year, when everyone was picking Millersville to finish near last after losing four starters to graduation, Millersville won its third straight conference championship and third trip to the NAIA tournament. Joe tied a record held by NY Knicks guard Dick Barnett as the only player to start in three consecutive NAIA Tournaments. Joe raised his scoring from 15.9 to 23.6 points per game, and with roommate Glen Stitzel’s record 31.1 ppg, they contributed over half the team’s points. Joe surpassed 1,000 career points with a 41-point performance against Elizabethtown and ended his career with 1,371 points.
Although he excelled at basketball at Annville-Cleona, baseball was regarded as his top sport after his junior year. Several major league scouts were interested in his junior year because of his pitching prowess and wicked fastball. Sadly, he threw his arm out in his senior year and never had his blazing fastball again. But he was still a good enough outfielder to start three seasons at Millersville. At the time, Annville-Cleona did not have football, so Joe ran cross country to stay in shape. In his senior year, soccer coach Pappy Moyer finally convinced Joe to give soccer a try. Joe was 1st Team All-County in his first and only season.
Joe was also a dominant force on the Annville Pool Swim Team. His best stroke was the butterfly, but he was proficient in all strokes, and the reason the medley races were his best events. He was also the best diver on the team, astounding onlookers with his diving mastery. After his playing days were over, Joe was elected to the Central Chapter, Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame, and Millersville University Sports Hall of Fame.
Upon graduation from Millersville, Joe was hired and taught for 35 years in the Palmyra School District. He earned his master’s degree at Shippensburg State College while he was teaching. Joe used the same focus and passion that he had in sports in his job as a teacher. He was popular with the students and an inspiration to many. Countless times over the years, former students would come up to him when they would meet him as adults and tell him how much his teaching meant to them.
Joe also leaves behind a bevy of friends from each community he touched and beyond. Despite his accolades, the man was far better than the player — always humble amidst praise, always loving his family to the fullest, and if you were his friend, you were a very lucky person. The family would like to thank the wonderful Cornwall Manor staff who provided Joe with such compassion and love during his months of anguish. The staff loved him because he never complained about his illness, always greeting them with a warm smile and a polite thank you. Even on the darkest days, he maintained his gracious demeanor and greeted every challenge with the same dignity and kindness that had defined his entire life.
A public visitation will be held from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, at Kreamer Funeral Home and Crematory Inc., 618 E. Main St., Annville, PA 17003. A time of sharing will be held from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Saturday at the funeral home. A Memorial Mass will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday at St. Paul the Apostle Church, 125 Spruce St., Annville, PA 17003. Inurnment at Grand View Memorial Park will follow.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Kreamer Funeral Home, Annville, is overseeing arrangements.
