Danny Schnitzki

Danny “Dano” “Silverfox” J. Schnitzki, 63, of Butler passed away Saturday at VNA Inpatient Hospice after a courageous battle with lung cancer.

He was born Aug. 3, 1952, in Butler to the late Anthony “Tony” M. Schnitzki Sr. and Stephanie Achezinski Schnitzki.

Danny was a 1970 graduate of Butler High School. He served in the U.S. Air Force from 1970 to 1974.

He was retired and enjoyed golfing, sitting on his deck and around the fire with family and friends.

In his earlier years, he played softball for St. Michael's, Dallos Autobody and the Italian Society of Butler. He also bowled and golfed for the Italian Society of Butler.

He was an active member of the Italian Society of Butler, the Butler Elks Lodge 170, and the American Legion Post 117 of Butler. He was a former member of the Slovak Club and the French and Belgium Club. He loved NASCAR and Pittsburgh sports, especially the Steelers and Pirates.

He leaves behind to cherish his memory his wife, Mary Ann Maksanty-Schnitzki, who he met in 1980 and married Nov. 13, 2004; one sister, Marsha (Schnitzki) Van Gorder and her husband, Donald, of Butler; four nephews, Jason Van Gorder and his wife, Erin, of Slippery Rock, Justin Van Gorder of Butler, Christopher Schnitzki of Arizona and Michael Schnitzki of Evans City; one niece, Amy Schnitzki and her finance, Brian Forge of Arizona; one great-niece, Avery Van Gorder of Slippery Rock; one sister-in-law, Angela Maksanty of Connoquenessing; one brother-in-law, Richard Maksanty of Butler; his three canine companions, Chloe, Levi and Hunter; a number of cousins; and the many friends he met along the way.

In addition to his parents, Danny was preceded in death by his brother, Anthony “Tony” Schnitzki Jr.

SCHNITZKI — Friends of Danny “Dano” “Silverfox” J. Schnitzki, who died Saturday, May 21, 2016, will be received from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at the Martin Funeral Home, 429 Center Ave., Butler.A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the Saint Michael the Archangel Roman Catholic Church, 432 Center Ave., Butler. Burial will take place at the Calvary Cemetery.Military honors will be accorded at the cemetery by the American Legion Post 778 of Lyndora, the VFW Post 249 of Butler and the American Legion Post 117 of Butler.The bereavement group of Saint Michael the Archangel Parish will meet at 3 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home for a scriptural wake service.In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Danny's memory to VNA Inpatient Hospice, 115 Technology Drive, Butler, PA 16001 or to the Butler County Humane Society, 1015 Evans City Road, Renfrew, PA 16053.For more information, please visit www.martinfh.net.