De-Wane Earnest Schnell was born November 13, 1942, in Watonga, OK., and passed away March 16, 2016, in Wichita, Kansas. He was raised on the family farm 7 miles east and 2 miles south of Hitchcock, OK. He attended Hitchcock Elementary and graduated from Omega High School in 1961. He attended Diesel Mechanic School of Okmulgee, OK. In 1965, De-Wane took over the family farm where he raised wheat and ran a grade-A dairy. In 1974, he married Loretta June Blakley. They opened their home to foster children in 1981 and since that time has had over 300 children live with their family. In 1990, he retired from farming and began working for DonCo Trucking as a cross country driver, driving all lower 48 States and Canada. During his 18 years of over the road (driving, he received awards for driving over 3 million miles accident free. He then semi-retired and returned home, to Watonga, and began driving locally until 2012 when he fully retired. In July 2014, he moved to Wichita Kansas where he loved being with his Son, Daughter-in-Law, and 2 beautiful grandchildren. He felt one of his greatest accomplishments was raising his children and seeing them grow into adults he could be proud of. De-Wane is survived by wife Loretta June; two sons, David & wife Lori of Hitchcock and Jeff & wife Shannon of Wichita, Kansas; two daughters Sherri & husband John of Edmond and Myranda of Yukon; six grandchildren; and many other family members. He was preceded in death by his Mother Losie Schnell and his father Ora Schnell. A Memorial service was held March 19 in Okeene at the Seventh Day Adventist Church.
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