Maria Elizabeth Schineller

May 7, 1929 - August 12, 2021

Maria Elizabeth Schineller, 92, passed away August 12, 2021, at Moultrie Creek Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in St Augustine, Florida. She was born on May 7, 1929 in Brooklyn, New York to Anton Schweiss and Elizabeth (Reifenrath) Schweiss. Maria attended a Catholic boarding school in Germany as a child. She also acted as a translator for the American soldiers until WWII began. She then returned to the United States on a freighter where she completed her education in New York. Maria married soon after and raised a family in New York before moving to Oxnard, California in 1984 with a brief stay in Olympia, Washington before moving to and settling in St Augustine, Florida in 1988. Maria is remembered for her selfless volunteerism. She volunteered countless hours with the Girl Scouts, Flagler Hospital, St Johns Sheriff’s Office, and Learn to Read. She also volunteered at her church. She was a member of Grace United Methodist Church in St Augustine, a founding father of Pilgrim Church in St. Augustine and a member of the United Church of Rockville Center N.Y, where her voice could be heard most Sundays as she was a member of the choir. Maria enjoyed doing arts and crafts, especially crochet and she owned a vast collection of Seraphim angels. She also loved Christmas and would celebrate each of the four Advent Sundays leading up to Christmas Day. She would use these four Sundays to prepare and remember the real meaning of Christmas. Maria also loved to travel and logged many miles in an RV visiting various locations throughout the country. She loved to travel here and abroad. Family was very important to her. She loved her dogs too. Maria is survived by her children Stephanie L. Pearce (Mark) of St Augustine; son, John Anton Randel (Debra) of St Augustine and was predeceased by daughter Janine Wisnowski (Tom). Maria is also survived by stepsons Lawrence Lennis Schineller III (Viola) of Massapequa, NY and Curtis Schineller (Jennifer) of Islip, NY; step-daughters, Cathy Dickovitch (Don) of Elmont, NY, and Dale Kirschbaum (John) of Wantagh, NY. She is also survived by 17 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandchild. Maria was preceded in death by her husband Lawrence Lennis Schineller, Jr. A Memorial Service officiated by Rev. Carolyn Williamson will be held Tuesday September 7, 2021, at 11:00 AM EST at St Johns Family Funeral Home. She will be inurned at the Jacksonville National Cemetery following the Memorial Service at 2:00 PM. Covid-19 safety protocols will be in effect. Those unable to attend the services at the funeral home can view the service live streamed at https://iframe.dacast.com/b/156599/c/549019. St Johns Family Funeral Home & Crematory is in charge of the arrangements.