Milton Hatheway Zoschke
July 10th, 1925 - August 4th, 2022
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Milton's Obituary
Milton Hatheway Zoschke, 97, of Benton Harbor, passed away, Wednesday, August 4, 2022 at his home.
He lived an extraordinary 97 years on earth full of love, joy, and peace. Born in Benton Harbor, Michigan on July 10, 1925, Milt spent his formative years reading, exploring Southwest Michigan, and talking to anyone who would listen. He loved learning and had a knack for teaching, both of which he would credit his future career as an educator and social worker. He attended Franklin College when he was 17 years old and later graduated with a degree, attended the University of Michigan for a time, and graduated from Western Michigan University with degrees in education and social work.
Milt had a heart for service, so he joined the Navy and trained as a radio operator. He was deployed in the Pacific Ocean for World War II and was still in the service during the Korean War. Once he came home, Milt dedicated his life to peace and declared that he would “study war no more.” He would go on advocating for peace and justice for the rest of his life.
Milt married Betty Lou Schneider, the love of his life, in 1951 and they started a family right away. They had four children, Steven, Bruce, Paul, and Jean, who would go on to have many biological and adopted children of their own, all of whom Milt loved unconditionally. On top of this, Milt was blessed to have a large family including Zoschkes, Schneiders, church family, and a plethora of fond friends from around the Southwest Michigan area and beyond.
In 2019, a DNA test conducted by one of his children revealed that Milt had a child before he was married. The half-siblings agreed to reach out to each other and Milt confirmed that the child was his. Camilla (Cam) and her family came to Milt’s home in Benton Harbor to meet him and her new-to-her family. This addition of a daughter, her children, and great-grandchildren to the family has been a blessing for all through these past few years.
Throughout his life, Milt exemplified the love of Jesus Christ by advocating for the incarcerated, participating in restorative justice initiatives, and sharing love and kindness with all whom he encountered. He also enjoyed traveling the world, running marathons, playing bridge, and most of all, spending time with his family.
Milt was preceded in death by his beloved wife Betty Lou Schnieder Zoschke, survived by siblings Carolyn Corteville and Fred Zoschke (Linda), all five of his children, Camilla Garland Williams (Greg), Steven Zoschke (Sherry), Bruce Zoschke (Magda) Paul Zoschke, and Jean Ann Zoschke Szczypka (Gary), as well as all of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren and special friend Kitty Fisher.
In lieu of flowers, Milt wished that donations would be made in his memory to the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR), Stevensville United Methodist Church, or Bangor Simpson United Methodist Church.
Friends may visit with the family from 5:00 until 7:00 P.M., Friday August 26, at Starks Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. The memorial service will take place 12:00 P.M. Saturday, August 27 at Stevensville United Methodist Church, 5506 Ridge Rd., Stevensville, with a meal to follow. Those wishing to sign Milt’s Memory Book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.
He lived an extraordinary 97 years on earth full of love, joy, and peace. Born in Benton Harbor, Michigan on July 10, 1925, Milt spent his formative years reading, exploring Southwest Michigan, and talking to anyone who would listen. He loved learning and had a knack for teaching, both of which he would credit his future career as an educator and social worker. He attended Franklin College when he was 17 years old and later graduated with a degree, attended the University of Michigan for a time, and graduated from Western Michigan University with degrees in education and social work.
Milt had a heart for service, so he joined the Navy and trained as a radio operator. He was deployed in the Pacific Ocean for World War II and was still in the service during the Korean War. Once he came home, Milt dedicated his life to peace and declared that he would “study war no more.” He would go on advocating for peace and justice for the rest of his life.
Milt married Betty Lou Schneider, the love of his life, in 1951 and they started a family right away. They had four children, Steven, Bruce, Paul, and Jean, who would go on to have many biological and adopted children of their own, all of whom Milt loved unconditionally. On top of this, Milt was blessed to have a large family including Zoschkes, Schneiders, church family, and a plethora of fond friends from around the Southwest Michigan area and beyond.
In 2019, a DNA test conducted by one of his children revealed that Milt had a child before he was married. The half-siblings agreed to reach out to each other and Milt confirmed that the child was his. Camilla (Cam) and her family came to Milt’s home in Benton Harbor to meet him and her new-to-her family. This addition of a daughter, her children, and great-grandchildren to the family has been a blessing for all through these past few years.
Throughout his life, Milt exemplified the love of Jesus Christ by advocating for the incarcerated, participating in restorative justice initiatives, and sharing love and kindness with all whom he encountered. He also enjoyed traveling the world, running marathons, playing bridge, and most of all, spending time with his family.
Milt was preceded in death by his beloved wife Betty Lou Schnieder Zoschke, survived by siblings Carolyn Corteville and Fred Zoschke (Linda), all five of his children, Camilla Garland Williams (Greg), Steven Zoschke (Sherry), Bruce Zoschke (Magda) Paul Zoschke, and Jean Ann Zoschke Szczypka (Gary), as well as all of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren and special friend Kitty Fisher.
In lieu of flowers, Milt wished that donations would be made in his memory to the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR), Stevensville United Methodist Church, or Bangor Simpson United Methodist Church.
Friends may visit with the family from 5:00 until 7:00 P.M., Friday August 26, at Starks Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. The memorial service will take place 12:00 P.M. Saturday, August 27 at Stevensville United Methodist Church, 5506 Ridge Rd., Stevensville, with a meal to follow. Those wishing to sign Milt’s Memory Book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.
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