KEYSTONE- Joseph E. "Joe" Schneller, 49, died June 8, 2015, near Kadoka as a result of a spray plane accident. Joseph Edward Schneller was born to Mary Margaret (Peggy) (Blomstrom) Schneller and Dr. John (Duke) Schneller, DDS, on December 4, 1965, in Belle Fourche, SD. He graduated from Stevens High School in 1984. After high school, Joe entered the US Marine Corps in September 1984 and served an initial four years. His primary MOS was an hydraulicsman on CH-53 Super Stallions. Joe's introduction to this aircraft was given to him by his Maintenance Chief with the philosophy, "If these birds aren't leaking, they're empty." He began his flight status as a door gunner and was eventually promoted to Crew Chief. This position motivated Joe to re-enlist for an additional four years. At the time Joe was in the service, the Marine Corps was shorthanded for CH-53 Crew Chiefs. He moved from squadron to squadron per Marine Corps needs. During this time, Joe flew combat missions in five different operations including: Beirut, Lebanon; the Persian Gulf; Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm; Somalia, Africa; and Haiti. He performed operations in 36 foreign countries, accumulating three and one-half years overseas experience. Joe served with distinction as Leading Non-Commissioned Officer for flight line operations with HMH (Heavy) 461. One of the highlights of Desert Shield was when Joe and his brother, Dan, who was also in the Marines, were able to connect a few days before Christmas through a gesture from their respective Sergeant Majors. A long Humvee ride later, the two of them were able to share a holiday meal together. Joe was honorably discharged on June 13, 1992. He received the following awards while serving our country: Good Conduct Medal (Second Award), Southwest Asia Service Medal (Third Award), Navy Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (Third Award), Navy Unit Commendation, Combat Aircrew Insignia, Kuwait Liberation Medal, M16A2 Rifle Expert (Second Award). In profound thanksgiving for Joe's safe return home from honorably serving his country, his parents hosted an outdoor Mass, BBQ, and barn dance where he was introduced to the love of his life, Brenda Marie DeJong. They were married on September 5, 1992, and lived for two years in Yankton, SD. He attended the University of South Dakota in Vermillion, SD. They moved to Rapid City, SD, in 1994, and he was a Crew Chief for UH-1 Huey helicopters at Ellsworth Air Force Base before joining the Rapid City Police Department for four years. While with the Rapid City Police Department, he was the lead diver for the Rescue and Recovery of Underwater Operations, certified ice diver, tactical sniper, point element for the high-risk entry team, union steward, community police officer and liaison to the Rapid City Homeless Coalition, bike patrol and undercover work, and firearms instructor. During this time, Joe also invented the first pain-free leg restraint system for the law enforcement and security industries, and this device is still being used to this day. Joe also invented and patented a one-handed horse hoof nipper. Joe then went on to work for the South Dakota Department of Corrections in Custer, SD, where he was a drill instructor for two years. Joe's next adventure was becoming a New York Life Insurance agent. During this time, he was missing flying and went on to pursue his passion of flight. Successfully completing flight school and receiving ag spray certification, Joe obtained an Operator 137 license for his newly-founded family owned business, Semper Fi Aviation, LLC. He began aerial crop spraying in Winner, SD, for four years. He then began aerial spraying pine trees in the Black Hills of South Dakota. Joe's Catholic faith, his family, friends, and flying were his passion in life. Joe's love for life, his humor, and his smile radiated to all. Joe also was active in the Black Hills Youth Football League as a head coach, served on the Hayward Volunteer Fire Department, a member of the American Legion, and a member of the Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church choir. He enjoyed softball, hunting, and fishing. Joe lived his life based on his favorite Bible verse to pray about everything and worry about nothing, Philippians 4:6. Honor God, Tell the Truth, Pray about Everything, Fear Nothing. This is how Joe lived his life. "The world offers you comfort, but you were not made for comfort. You were made for greatness." Pope Benedict XVI Joe is survived by his wife, Brenda, and his three beloved children: Jacob, Bridget, and Joseph, Keystone, SD; his father, Dr. John (Duke) Schneller, DDS, Custer, SD; three brothers: Dan (Jill) Schneller, Kalispell, MT; Tom (Bobbie) Schneller, Whitewood, SD; and Jim Schneller, Rapid City, SD; two sisters: Jean (Kent) French, Rapid City, SD; and Ann (John) Dvorak, Custer, SD; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Robert and Janice DeJong, Lesterville, SD; sisters-in-law, Rebecca (Harold) Franey, Sioux Falls, SD; Subrena (Scott) Green, Ipswich, SD; and aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews. He was preceded in death by his mother, Mary Margaret (Peggy) (Blomstrom) Schneller; his brother, David Schneller; his sister, Elizabeth Schneller; and Joe and Brenda's three beloved children: Joseph Brendan Schneller, Grace Elizabeth Schneller, and Rosemarie Therese Schneller, who awaited him in Heaven. Visitation will be on Sunday, June 14, from 4:00-6:00 p.m. with rosary recitation at 5:00 p.m. and vigil at 6:00 p.m. at Blessed Sacrament Church. Christian Funeral Mass will be offered at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, June 15, at Blessed Sacrament Church with Rev. Michel Mulloy presiding with priests of the Rapid City Diocese as concelebrants. Interment will follow at 2:30 p.m. at Black Hills National Cemetery with full military honors rendered by the Rushmore VFW Post 1273 and the U.S. Marine Corps Honor Guard. A memorial has been established: c/o Joe Schneller Memorial Fund at Black Hills Federal Credit Union - any branch or by mailing it to PO Box 1420, Rapid City, SD 57709.