Robert “Marty” Schnell, 63, a Vietnam War veteran who volunteered in many community organizations, died Saturday, Feb. 23, of a heart attack. Born in Melrose Park, Mr. Schnell served in the Army from 1957 to 1959. He re-enlisted in 1964 and served in Vietnam as a rifleman, said his son Robert. Between enlistments, Mr. Schnell worked as a taxi driver in Chicago where he met Patricia McCrum on a blind date. They were married in 1964 before he went to Vietnam. Mr. Schnell was discharged in 1965 and took a job at U.S. Can Corp.’s Elgin plant where he inventoried parts. He had retired this year and was working part time at Sam’s Club in Batavia greeting customers. A resident of St. Charles, Mr. Schnell was president of the St. Charles Historical Society and a leader of Troop 151 Cub Scouts and Troop 51 Boy Scouts. He was commander of the VFW in St. Charles and served as director of the VFW’s drug prevention programs in Illinois. After Mr. Schnell attended a meeting of the American Historical Society of Germans from Russia, a genealogical organization, he founded an Illinois chapter and became its first president, his wife said. “He always wanted to be involved,” she said. For eight years, Mr. Schnell was a St. Charles precinct committeeman. He is also survived by two more sons, David and Daniel; two daughters, Kathleen Klus and Debbie Schnell; a sister, Sandy Toerpe; and eight grandchildren. A service will begin at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday in Norris Funeral Home, 100 S. 3rd St., St. Charles.
