Obituary of George Donald Scheideman

Mr. George Donald Scheideman, agri-businessman and lifetime resident of Lodi, passed away at his home on Sunday, October 21, 2007, after a long illness. Son of George and Rachel (Reuscher) Scheideman, George was born on March 3, 1919 in Schaffer, Kansas. In 1921, when he was 2 years old, his family moved to Lodi, where his father was a vineyardist, and George was raised with a thorough background in farming a vineyard. He graduated from Lodi Academy in 1938, and went on to attend Pacific Union College where he studied business administration and later to Stanford University (Dept. of Engineering). George was a WWII veteran, serving four years in the US Army medical corps, much of that time in the China-Burma-India division. In 1946, after his service in the war, he and the late L.D. Tonn founded the East-Side Fruit Growers shipping and cold storage plant, which they operated for over 30 years. In 1947 he married Kathleen Harrigan. George served his community in many capacities. He was chairman of the school boards of the SDA Elementary School and of Lodi Academy, where he was honored as Alumnus of the Year in 1992. He served on the board of Lodi Memorial Hospital for 22 years, including 7 years as First Vice President and 5 years as Chairman. His involvement in the local grape-growing industry lead to his service as a Commissioner of the California Table Grape Commission from 1968-1985, and he was recognized by the Lodi District Chamber of Commerce as Agriculturist of the Year 1981. He served 30 years on the Board of Directors of Farmers and Merchants Bank. He was a longtime member of the Fairmont SDA Church, serving on many committees there, and he was a longtime member of the Rotary Club. George is survived by his loving wife of 60 years Kathleen, a son George D. Scheideman III of Los Angeles, a daughter Candace Hadley and husband Dr. Dean Hadley of Paradise, 2 grandchildren, Dr. Allison Hadley of San Diego, Dr. Zachary Hadley of Loma Linda and a son-in-law Kenneth Meyers of Lodi. He was preceded in death by daughter Linda Meyers in 2006, a brother Lee Scheideman, and 3 sisters, Fern Ballard, Ruth Bradley,and Doris Tonn. A chapel service will be held Saturday October 27, 2007, 3:00pm at Lodi Funeral Home, followed by a private interment at Cherokee Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be held Friday Noon-8pm at the Lodi Funeral Home. Memorial contributions can be sent to the Lodi Academy School, 1230 S. Central Ave., Lodi, Ca., 95240