Dates
Alfonse Herbert Schwartz, age 95, of San Angelo, Texas, peacefully passed away Tuesday, November 7, 2023 surrounded by his loving family. He was born on September 24, 1928 to Ernest and Ida Schwartz. He attended Fairview School and San Angelo High School. He was the sixth of nine children and was also the twin to his late brother, Alfred. Alfonse started work at Goodyear Tire Test Company in downtown San Angelo in 1952. He tested tires on the
high-speed track for 3 years then transferred to testing tires on heavy equipment for many more years. A big portion of his driving was done at night. While employed at Goodyear he drove over 2,000,000 miles without an accident earning him membership in the Million Mile Club. This was one of his proudest accomplishments. He retired from Goodyear in February of 1987 after 35 years of service. A hard working man, he drove for Goodyear and farmed at the same time, but farming was his passion and he drove a tractor even in his later years.
In April of 1952, Alfonse married the love of his life, Ruby Ann Menke. They started their lives together in a small house just off of Hwy 87 South in San Angelo. They moved to the farm north of San Angelo in 1962 where he resided until his death. Alfonse was an avid deer hunter, loved to garden, was a passionate farmer and had a love for polka dancing unlike any other person. His many years of dancing at the Hallettsville Polka Fest garnered him and his twin brother, Alfred, a plaque of recognition for their years of attending.
Alfonse was President of the Carlsbad School Board, a member of Knights of Columbus for many years and was on the Board of Directors for Farm Bureau. Some of his favorite things were watching Mollie B Polka Party, spending time with his family and was always ready to greet anyone he met with a good “Papaw Joke”.
Alfonse and Ruby were married for 47 wonderful years until her death in 1999. In 2003, he married Betty Hardegree and they both enjoyed traveling to polka dances and spent a lot of time on cruises.
Alfonse is survived by Betty Schwartz, his 5 children; Janice Sage of Cibolo, Donna (Mike) Johnston of San Angelo, Joyce Sears of Carlsbad, Doug (Lori) Schwartz of San Angelo and Janene Gifford of San Angelo. He is survived by 13 grandchildren, 30 great grandchildren and 3 great great grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister, Bernice Matthiesen, brothers, George Schwartz (Doris), Erwin Schwartz and John Schwartz, sisters-in- law Rose Marie Schwartz, Ann Schwartz, Allene Menke and a host of nieces and nephews. Alfonse is preceded in death by his wife Ruby Schwartz, mother and father Ernest and Ida Schwartz, daughter Debbie Counts, sons-in-law Greg Hail and Charlie Sears, grandson Jaylon Sears, brothers Walter Schwartz, Joe Calvin Schwartz, Alfred Schwartz and sister Beatrice Socha, in laws Genevieve Schwartz, Gloria Schwartz, Dorothy Schwartz, Laddie Socha, Victor Matthiesen and Waldine Benton.
Rosary will be held at St. Ambrose Church in Wall Friday, November 10th, 2023 at 6 pm. Mass will be celebrated Saturday, November 11th, 2023 at 10 am at St. Ambrose. Interment will be at Lawnhaven Memorial Gardens.
Pallbearers will be grandsons; Greg and Colin Hayes, Michael Johnston, Josh and Justin Sears, Drew Schwartz, Ethan and Cole Gifford, Wes Counts.
Honorary pallbearers will be grand daughters; Macie Schwartz, Christy Miller, Jennifer Urbanek and Wendy Korn.
The family would like to thank Hospice of San Angelo for their compassionate care and Meals for the Elderly for providing nutritious meals.The family would like to also thank Dr. Carl Anderton for his many years of care for our daddy.
Memorials may be made to Meals for the Elderly and WTRC Hospice of San Angelo.
In the words of the funniest man to ever live, “To make a long story short, don’t tell it."