My Life, My Love, My Husband

Charley Schwarz, passed away peacefully, in my arms, on March 7, 2022, at Houston Texas Methodist hospital.  Our last pilgrimage, in an effort to be added to a liver transplant list, brought us laughter, time devoted to he and I, and the kind of love you can only realize, when you truly realize that death is how you will part.  Neither of us believed that this was how our earthly story would end, but it ended wrapped in each other's arms, nonetheless.

"It's not goodbye, it's simply see you later."

Charley and I were neighborhood sweethearts, and married in 1999.  I once said, "I'm gonna marry that Schwarz boy." and that's just what I did. Through the last twenty two years, he has been a devoted husband, and together we raised two amazing children.  Gretchen & Jack, were Charley's joy in life, every day, I see how much they are like their father.  Strong will, resilience, & devotion, are just a few of the qualities that Charley has passed to our children.

Charley was born on January 24, 1973, in Sheboygan, son of John Schwarz and Dianne (Schnell) Herzog.  He graduated from New Holstein High School with the class of 1991.  Shortly after, he  walked alongside his father, & best friend, John, in running Schwarz's Supper Club. In 2016, he fulfilled his dream of owning Schwarz's Supper Club, and until his passing, ran Schwarz's with the support  of John & Lisa and his brother Patrick & Courtney.

Charley had a passion for the youth sports programs.  He ticked me off every fall, as he recruited all our dishwashers to play football.  He started assisting coaching when Jack was in football in 6th grade, and never stopped. "Fire Low, Fire Forward"   "I want my ball back". He was always "that dad," but that's OK.

He is survived by his wife; Stephanie; two children: Gretchen and Jack; parents: John & Lisa Schwarz and Dianne & Robert Herzog; brother: Patrick and Courtney Schwarz; father-in-law and mother-in-law: Richard and Kathy Pershing; and brothers-in-law & sister-in-law, Eric & Holly Pershing and Brett Pershing.

Charley's friends are many.  Some have started out as locker mates, and some only recently became life lines of support, during the many days in the hospital.  Each friend brought a special relationship, and each friend will truly be missed.  They say, you learn who your true friends are, when times are tough; and the last few months have shown us that Charley was loved by so many.

There will be a Celebration of Life held at 12:00PM (NOON) on Wednesday, March 16, 2022 at St. Ann Catholic Church in St. Anna (N188 School St, New Holstein). Charley will be laid to rest in the St. Ann Catholic Cemetery immediately following the service.

The family will greet relatives and friends at the church on Tuesday, March 15, 2022 from 3:00PM until 6:30PM. The visitation will continue on Wednesday at the church from 10:00AM until 11:45AM.

No Flowers will be accepted at the Celebration of Life. Thank you for your understanding and please know that a memorial has been established in Charley's name for local sports and activities.

Charley will be missed by so many, but none more than me. His presence was larger than life, and his smile was what hooked me almost 30 years ago. Death has parted us.  It has sent Charley to heaven and salvation to him.  I will remain on this earth, until it is time for us to be together again.

"It's not goodbye, it's simply see you later."