Buckley resident Wolfe Schneider, 62, died May 26, 2013, following a six-year battle with cancer.

He was born March 14, 1951, in Seattle to Herb and Shirley Schneider. He attended synagogue regularly and at the age of 12 he moved to Israel and lived in a kibbutz while learning to speak and read Hebrew. Upon returning to Seattle he attended Lakeside School, but left to graduate from Garfield High in 1969. He then attended the University of Washington and earned a bachelor’s degree in social anthropology while playing in jazz and rock bands for extra income. He was also on the gymnastics team and became a lifelong body builder. He worked as a guard at a prison and at a work release center before starting a career as an entertainer that lasted nearly 20 years. He met and married Beverly Mayer in 1985 and later returned to school where he earned a master’s degree in early education. In 1989 he began teaching in the White River School district and the family moved there soon after. He has served as pianist and elder at the Community Presbyterian Church in Buckley, as a representative for his union and was chairman of the Buckley Planning Commission.

He is survived by his wife of 27 years, Bev Schneider; children Rachael Stahlecker, Jeremy Schneider and Zach Schneider; sisters Reba Schneider and Maggie Kadet; brother Franz Schneider; and two grandchildren.

A memorial service is planned for 11 a.m. Saturday, July 13, at Elk Ridge Elementary School in Buckley.

Memorials may be made to Buckley Community Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 1930, Buckley, 98321.

All may sign the online guest book at www.weeksfuneralhomes.com.