He was born on July 24, 1938, in Marietta, to Gustav and Bertha (Brown) Schnarr. They preceded him in death along with two brothers and six sisters.
Harold is survived by his wife, Willa (Stroman) Schnarr, whom he married on April 10, 1992.
Also surviving are his children, Brett (Susan) Schnarr of Table Grove, Robert Schnarr of Cuba, Phillip (Mindy) Schnarr of Cuba, and Nick Stroman of Chicago, the mother of Brett, Robert, and Phillip, Carolyn (Strode) Schnarr, six grandchildren, ten great grandchildren, and his favorite napping companions, Gracie and Dolly.
Harold first worked construction and at Hiram Walker, later he worked at International Harvester and then retired from Spoon River College as head of maintenance. He said his best job was delivering Gladiolas all over the state for Perkins in Canton.
Harold started racing go karts in 1960, in 1961 he was the Illinois State Champion in his division, He was also at the time second in the nation. In 1965 he bought his only new car and immediately took it to the drag strip. In 1968 he bought a 1967 Ford Fairlane, the car that would turn him into a legend in the Midwest
Over the years he built and maintained several cars for his sons. He was instrumental in building motors for racers as far away as California. Locally he was known as the “Godfather of Ford”. Harold also said “He made a living building Chevrolet engine but would only race a Ford”.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Fulton County Humane Society or to Spoon River College Foundation.
A funeral service will be held at Oaks-Hines Funeral Home in Canton on Saturday, December 2, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. Visitation will be held on Friday at the funeral home from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Burial will take place immediately following the funeral at Fiatt Cemetery.
To leave online condolences, please visit www.oakshinesfuneralhome.com
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