BERNE — Vernon G. Schanz Jr., a farmer who loved the outdoors, died peacefully on Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2015, surrounded by his family. He was 91.

Mr. Schanz was born in Berne on July 17, 1924, the son of the late Vernon and Mildred Josephine (née Proper) Schanz.

He graduated from the Berne-Knox-Westerlo schools in 1942.

He was a dairy farmer for many years, and was a bonded livestock hauler and buyer, which he enjoyed the most, wrote his family in a tribute.

He later went to work for the Albany County Highway Department and then the town of Berne.

“He had a deep appreciation of Mother Nature,” his family wrote.

Mr. Schanz is survived by his sisters, Inez Keppler and Elaine Wilson; a special niece, Diane Chrysler; four grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

His daughter, Sandra Marricle, died before him, as did his son, Gordon Schanz, and his brothers, Melvin, Willard, and Leonard Schanz.

Funeral services were held at the Fredendall Funeral Home in Altamont on Aug. 10 and interment was in the Woodlawn Cemetery in Berne.

Memorial contributions may be made to the East Berne Fire Department, 25 Main St., East Berne, NY 12059, or the Huntersland Fire Department, 1337 Huntersland Road, Middleburgh, NY 12122.