Leah Joyce (Shaffer) Schonmeier passed away peacefully at Lakeview Manor Healthcare Center in Tawas City on Thursday, May 14, 2026, age 90 years. Leah was born November 6, 1935 to the late Floyd and Susie (Boyer) Shaffer of Turner, Michigan.
She graduated from Whittemore High School. She worked at Hamilton Bakery of East Tawas, and Marilyn Memorial Hospital of AuGres until it closed in 1961. Leah did volunteer work for Arenac County for many years.
She married the love of her life, Harold Schonmeier Sr. of AuGres on May 25, 1957 and spent 63 wonderful years together. They had two children, Lori Schonmeier and Harold (Jeannie) Schonmeier Jr. They moved to the Schonmeier farm after his parents moved. They raised milk cattle and Leah drove the tractor when they baled hay. She was a long time devout member of Arenac Christ United Methodist Church in AuGres.
Leah is preceded in death by her husband, Harold Schonmeier Sr.; daughter, Lori Schonmeier; sister, Erma; and a brother, Floyd. Leah is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Harold and Jeannie Schonmeier Jr; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Funeral services for Leah are are scheduled for Thursday, May 21, 2026 at 1:00 PM at the Arenac Christ United Methodist Church. Leah’s family will welcome friends at the church on Thursday morning for a time of visitation from 11:00 AM to the time of the funeral service. She will be laid to rest in the Sims-Whitney Cemetery.
An online guest registry is available to leave a message of love and support for Leah’s family at www.bureshfuneralhomes.com. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society in Leah’s name.
