William J. Schwabenbauer

Olean - William J. "Bill" Schwabenbauer     "Loving Husband, Father, & Grandfather"

            William J. "Bill" Schwabenbauer, of 640 East State Street, departed this world on Thursday, December 13, 2018, at Mercy Hospital in Buffalo, following a brief illness.

            Bill was born on April 28, 1926 in Clarion, PA and was a son of Joseph H. and Florence O. Neuland Schwabenbauer.  He married his wife of 68 years, June L. Vincent, who survives.

            Staff Sgt. Schwabenbauer served in the European Theatre during the Second World War from July 11, 1944 to June 29, 1946.  He and his unit were part of the Ready Task-Force for the invasion of Japan.  Bill also served in The Army National Guard for an additional five years.  He moved to Olean from Oil City, PA in 1971.  Bill retired in 1988 after 40 years as a track and signal supervisor with Conrail.  He was a devout, life-long Catholic and was a member of St. Mary of the Angel’s Parish since 1971. 

            Bill volunteered countless hours with the Olean Auxiliary Police, The Veteran’s Administration of Cattaraugus County, and as a coach for Olean Youth Baseball at Forness Park.  He was also an active member in service organizations and clubs including The Veterans of Foreign Wars and The American Legion.  Bill served two terms as president of The Olean Aerie 616 Eagles Club, and as a Fourth Degree Knight in the Knights of Columbus.  Bill, being a very active man, enjoyed hunting, canoeing and fishing on the Allegany River, gardening, dancing, and working around his house.  His zest for life and servant spirit will live on through his children and theirs.

            Along with his loving wife, Bill is survived by; his eight children, William E. Schwabenbauer, Kristine (Schwabenbauer) Medinger, Cynthia (Schwabenbauer) Lindsay, Jon Schwabenbauer, Michael Schwabenbauer, Patrick Schwabenbauer, Nancy (Schwabenbauer) Brooks, and Andrea (Schwabenbauer) Meyer; sixteen grandchildren; seventeen great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.

            He was predeceased by one brother, Albinus E. "Bud" Schwabenbauer in 1961.

            A Memorial Mass will be held at a date and time to be announced.  Burial will be in the Veteran's Field of Honor at Mt. View Cemetery.

            Arrangements are under the direction of the Letro-McIntosh-Spink Funeral Home, Inc., 646 E. State Street, Olean.  Online condolences may be made at www.LetroMcIntoshSpinkFuneralHome.com

            In lieu of flowers, Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association, 107 Delaware Avenue, Buffalo, New York 14202.