Gilbert “Bud” D. Schenkel Jr.

Schenkel

Gilbert “Bud” D. Schenkel Jr., 82, of Marietta, passed away on November 1, 2025 at his home surrounded by his family.

Bud was born in Marietta on February 7, 1943 to Gilbert D. and Ethel M. (Ziegler) Schenkel. He was a 1961 graduate of Marietta High School, where he participated in track and football. After graduation, he started his apprenticeship with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 972 Marietta working with Schenkel Electric, Inc. Later in his career he worked out of the hall for various contractors in the area. Bud retired in May 2011 and has been a proud member of IBEW for 63 years.

In his younger years Bud loved drag racing in his 1963 Chevy Bubble Top. In 2004 he purchased a ’69 Nova and converted it into his pride and joy drag strip only car with his car buddies Don Kidwiler, Stan Price and Larry Albrecht. Bud continued to race the “Back in the Day” into his mid 70’s at strips in Ohio and West Virginia. In 2009 At Pinks All Out at National Trails he had a perfect dial in, where driver and car are in perfect sync. Bud also was instrumental in developing the local BMX track at the fairgrounds, Pioneer Trails, in the 80s while serving as the South-Eastern Ohio Representative for the National Bicycle League of Ohio. Above all, Bud loved watching his sons and granddaughters playing all of their different sports at Club Ohio United, St. Mary’s Catholic School, Marietta High School and at Fairmont State University.

On July 27, 1968 he married Susan Hall, who survives with sons Geoff Schenkel and his wife Alice and Ben Schenkel and his wife Jennifer. Also surviving are Bud’s grandchildren Claire, Amelia, Katelyn and Micah and nephews Jan Bergmann, Mark Bergmann and Chris Warden and niece Cindy Swisher.

In addition to his parents, Bud was preceded in death by sisters Madge Bergmann (Dale) and Gilda Warden (Paul).

Funeral services will be held at 7:00 pm on Thursday, November 6th at McClure-Schafer-Lankford Funeral Home. The family will greet friends from 4 to until the hour of service on Thursday.

The family extends a special thank you to Cawley Hospice for the special care they gave Bud.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Marietta High School Soccer Field lighting project. Send checks to Marietta City Schools with Girls Soccer Field lighting project in memo line.