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Fred Schleth Obituary
May 19, 1937 - May 30, 2025
Fred Schleth, 88, of Petaluma, CA, passed away peacefully in his sleep on May 30, 2025. Fred lived a life rooted in hard work and enduring friendships. He was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy; his parents, Fred and Marjorie; his sister, Joanne Slack; and his niece, Audra Heart. He is survived by his stepdaughter, Kathy Wilder (Richard); niece, Erin Underwood (Thomas); nephew, Paul Swallow (Monica) and their son, Carson; grandnephew, Jeremy Holt; and grandniece, Jordan LaRue, and her daughter, Lila. Fred graduated from Petaluma High School in 1955 and served in the U.S. Army's 5th Infantry Division at Fort Ord. After his honorable discharge in 1962, he worked as a lineman with PG&E and later as a mechanic for the Petaluma School District. In the 1960s, he became a private pilot, flying to job sites across the West. He grew up on the Schleth Family Christmas Tree Farm, one of the first of its kind in Northern California. Fred and Dorothy later built a life together in Sebastopol, owning a vineyard that supplied pinot noir grapes to DeLoach Vineyards. In 2022, Fred returned to Petaluma, moving into Springfield Place, where he rekindled old friendships and made new ones. Fred will be remembered for his integrity, warmth, and the joy he brought to those around him. In lieu of flowers and cards, please consider planting a tree in Fred's memory.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Fred Schleth
Sponsored by Adobe Creek Funeral Home - Petaluma.
Jon Early
July 23, 2025
I just heard this sad news. Fred was a wonderful, funny man. He was a neighbor to my mother in Sebastopol, and he and Dot were always great friends to her. He befriended me while I caring for her while she was terminally ill, and we continued that friendship in the years afterward. I enjoyed some great stories from him, and plenty of wisdom from his many experiences.
My condolences to his family and friends.
robert alan wentzel
June 21, 2025
I worked with Fred at Jim Rose Chrysler back in the mid '70's where his brother Bill was the service manager. I remember seeing Freds name on a plaque at the Novato Trap club as one of the founders of the club in 1963. I also have a memory of him having a fishing boat? Condolences to the family!
Cindy & Bob Clopton
June 10, 2025
My husband & I remember Fred as the sweetest, kindest and most gentle giant back in our trapshooting days out at Two Rock before the Coast Guard shut us down.....many many years ago! We were really sorry to hear about this in the paper and we send hugs and prayers to all of his family!
Margi Flint
June 8, 2025
A wonderful life and a devoted Erin to ease those last years. May we all be so loved.
Erin Underwood
June 6, 2025
I will miss my uncle and our driving adventures out to Bodega Bay. He was thoughtful and kind, and always ready with a joke! My visits back to Petaluma will be much more lonely and sad without him here.
Adobe Creek Funeral Home
June 8, 2025
Our thoughts are with the family and friends at this time.
Erick SCHLETH
June 5, 2025
Always fun to talk to. He always had good jokes and he will be missed!
Karen Withnell
June 5, 2025
In all my memories of Fred, he is laughing and it is infectious. Always a good person. He will be missed by me and many others
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Adobe Creek Funeral Home - Petaluma331 Lakeville Street, Petaluma, CA 94952
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