Wilma Schwarz

Wilma Jean Schwarz, 73, of Fairfield, FL, passed away November 5, 2015, at the West Marion Community Hospital in Ocala after a brief illness. She was born Dec. 24, 1941, in Florissant, MO, to Wilma E. and Eugene Kramer. After high school she moved to Pueblo, CO, to take equestrian classes at Pueblo Junior College. There she met and fell in love with fellow freshman DeLace L. D.L. Schwarz her freshman year. They were married in Gunnison, CO, a year later on May 28, 1961 when Wilma was 19. She and D.L. would come to have 54 wonderful years together. Their first child, Cindy Lou, was born in Gunnison Feb. 16, 1962. Connie Lynn was born Aug. 20, 1963, in Yuma, CO. They moved around in Colorado and then to the St. Louis area, eventually moving to Clermont, FL, in 1978, where they bought and ran a newspaper delivery route for four years. Through it all, Wilma longed to live on a ranch with horses of her own with her Colorado cowboy. She finally got her horse farm when she and D.L. moved to Fairfield, FL, in 1993. Those who knew Wilma over the years knew her as a wonderful, gentle soul who would fearlessly ride her horse. She rode in parades, horse shows, endurance trail rides, etc. She learned the Parelli method of horsemanship and training. Wilma was a Christian whose spirit came through in everything she did. She played the piano and organ in church on a regular basis; volunteered at horse protection sites; and enjoyed watching her grandchildren compete in sporting events. Wilma is survived by her husband, D.L.; daughter Cindy Lou (John) Kahl of Richfield, NC; grandchildren Joshua, Amanda, Anna, and Lisa Kahl (Jordan) Davis of Charlotte, NC; and great-granddaughter Kaia; daughter Connie Lynn (Danny) Denaburg of Merritt Is., FL; and grandchildren Karly, Mason, Lexi and Brady. Services will be at Shiloh United Methodist Church, 11020 NW Highway 320, Micanopy, FL, on Saturday, Nov. 14, at noon. Refreshments will follow at the Church. There is no visitation scheduled. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Wilma Schwarz to help defray medical costs, or to Shiloh United Methodist Church for the Piano Fund. Send both to P.O. Box 1010, Fairfield, FL 32634. Arrangements are under the direction of Knauff Funeral Home, 512 E Noble Ave, Williston, FL, 32696 (352)528-3481. Please sign the guestbook at knaufffuneralhomes.com