Robert “Bob” J. Schartner, 87, of Little Harbor in the Town of Sevastopol, passed away Wednesday morning, December 28, 2022 at Cardinal Ridge in Sturgeon Bay.
Bob was born April 24, 1935 to the late Louis Ludwig and Laura Mary (Haberli) Schartner in Sturgeon Bay. He attended Sevastopol High School and entered the United States Army. After being honorably discharged from military service, Bob worked in trucking in Milwaukee beforereturning to Green Bay where he owned several bars including Mickey’s Club and Mickey’s Hotspot, favorite hangouts of the Curly Lambeau era Green Bay Packers.
Bob married his beloved wife Diane Kay Wagner October 17, 1970. Together they moved home where they ran The Railroad Inn and, after their daughter Nicole was born, started their own orchard business inSevastopol. Together they raised their three children and grew fruit including apples, cherries, and plums. In the summer, despite his rigorous work commitments and Diane’s nursing career, Bob found time to coach all three of his children in softball and baseball. His favorite words,“Watch the ball hit the bat!” were “told” to his own children and countless others over a decades worth of coaching. After a long day’s work or coaching, Bob loved starting a fire in his backyard overlooking the bay, playing cards (sheepshead, pinochle, or cribbage) with family and friends,and then cooking an open fire steak or his own fried perch recipe. When the crops were harvested, and winter settled upon the countryside, Bob would hunt and fish with his family or play cards at Birmingham’s Bar or Schartner’s on the Shore. Playing cards with his dear friends at Birmingham’s Bar were some of the best times for him in his later years. In the spring, he loved picking asparagus for his friends and family or bouquets of fresh lilacs for Diane. He took great joy in sharing with his loved ones - whether it was apples for his sisters, bedtime stories of his childhood adventures or early morning still-warm peanut rolls from Knaapen’s bakery for his children. He had an unparalleled passion for life, and he shared that love through his unique gift for telling stories and his contagious smile and laugh.
Diane passed at age 54 on November 12, 2000 and was deeply missed by Bob for the remainder of his life. In his words, “She was just a wonderful woman and mother.” He would be the first to say that her love was the foundation for his happiness.
Bob will be dearly missed by his three children, Nicole Christian of Waunakee, Jill Schartner of Brisbane, CA and Robbie (Kelly) Schartner of Sturgeon Bay; grandchildren, Maxwell, Reed and Levi Christian, Brianna Dahms, Haddie Schartner and Oliver Schartner; siblings, Helen Henschel, Arnold Schartner and Ann (Allan) Tanck; sisters-in-law, Susan (John) Schartner and Lauris Wagner (John); and brothers-in-law, William Junionand George Wagner.
Preceding him in death were his parents; wife; siblings and spouses, Doris Schartner, Louis (Ruth) Schartner, Leonard (Joan) Schartner, Donald (Shirley) Schartner, William Schartner, Carol (John) Grandbouche, Mary Junion, Roger Henschel, Kenneth Schartner, and Evelyn Schartner; brother-in-law, David Wagner; and sister-in-law, Carla Wagner.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 31, 2022 at SS Peter & Paul Catholic Church, Institute with Father Robert Stegmann officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
Visitation for family and friends will be from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Friday evening, December 30, 2022 at Huehns Funeral Home and continue Saturday at the church from 10:00 a.m. until the time of Mass at 11:00 a.m.
The family would like to express their gratitude to all the friends and family who loved and took care of Bob in his later years, especially Everett Vrooman, whom he depended on dearly. The family would like to thank the staff at Cardinal Ridge for the compassionate care they provided. His life was full and rich to the very end because of the support of his family and community.
Expressions of sympathy, memories, photos and especially your wonderful stories of Bob’s adventures may be shared with his family through his tribute page at www.huehnsfuneralhome.com.
Bob loved life and would want you to celebrate his life by buying your friends a round of beers during a game of cards, sipping some cherry bounce, making a friendly wager or bringing a cherry pie to your neighbor - and most importantly, enjoying life with the people you love.
