Life story Laura Ann Mills Schnaitter, age 78, died Sunday, May 22, 2011, at her home in Madison, Indiana. She was born November 13, 1932 in Madison, the first child of Dwight P. "Speedy" and Helen Jeanette McKay Mills. After attending Eggleston and Lydia Middleton elementary schools, she graduated in 1950 from Madison High School. Laura was involved in many high school activities including choral club and National Honor Society. Laura attended Hanover College for two years, then received her BS degree in Education from Indiana University in June 1954, and her Masters Degree in Education from Indiana University Southeast in 1974. She married Spencer J. Schnaitter on July 25, 1954. Spence and Laura lived in Oklahoma and Colorado while Spence served as an artillery officer in the US Army at Fort Sill, Oklahoma and Fort Carson, Colorado. The Schnaitter family then relocated to Bloomington, where Mr. Schnaitter completed law school in June of 1959. During that summer, the Schnaitters returned to Madison, where Spence began his law practice. She is survived by her husband, Spencer and their five children: Dwight Schnaitter of Salt Lake City, Utah; Suzanne Schnaitter of Bloomington, Indiana; Spencer M. Schnaitter and wife, Deedra of Crested Butte, Colorado; Edie Britton and husband, Bloyce of San Antonio, Texas; and Jason Schnaitter and wife, Lisa Gravelle of Salt Lake City, Utah. They have six grandchildren: Paul F. Schnaitter of Broomfield, Colorado; Elizabeth Schnaitter of Denver, Colorado; Colton Schnaitter of Crested Butte, Colorado; Hill and Spencer Britton of San Antonio, Texas and Brooke Marie Schnaitter of Salt Lake City. In addition, she is survived by a sister Nancy Mills Pavelka of Munster; a brother Dan Mills of Arlington, Virginia and an aunt, Mary Margaret Moorhead of Versailles. She is also survived by four maternal nieces and four nephews; one paternal niece and nephew; and numerous grand nieces and nephews. Her parents and a sister, Margery Mills Jessup preceded her in death. Laura taught the second grade at the E.O. Muncie Elementary School for twenty years. In addition, after retirement she assisted in the reading program at Lydia Middleton Elementary School as a volunteer for many years. Laura was a member of the Rho Chapter of Phi Mu Sorority at Hanover College. A charter member of the Madison-Hanover chapter of AAUW, Laura was also a member of the Beta Omega Chapter of Tri Kappa Sorority and Mu Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma Society, serving one term as president. She was a member and served on the administrative board of Trinity United Methodist Church and on the board of directors at the Lide White Boys Club. A member of the Madison-Jefferson County Public Library Board for many years, Laura concluded her service as board president. Recently she served as treasurer on the Lanier Mansion Foundation and was an active member of Historic Madison Incorporated, serving many years as a docent. As a member of the Jefferson County Democratic Women's Club, Laura was especially active in matters concerning equal rights and the advancement of women in education and professional pursuits. In 2004 she was awarded a Sagamore of the Wabash by Governor Joseph Kernan. Laura was a loving mother, grandmother, aunt, great aunt and friend. She loved music and children's literature and had a lifelong passion for education, especially at the elementary level. She was an avid and competitive bridge player. A visitation service will be held on Friday, June 3, at Lytle Funeral Chapel in Madison from 4 to 8:00 p.m. A memorial service will be held at Trinity United Methodist Church in Madison Saturday, June 4, at 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Madison-Jefferson County Public Library or Historic Madison Incorporated. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Laura Ann (Mills) Schnaitter, please visit our floral store.