BN/RC/NWA Capt. Lowell E. Schaper

 

~ IN MEMORY ~

Military veteran, BN/RC/NWA Capt. Lowell E. Schaper

September 21, 1935 ~ March 29, 2025

 

After his military service and initially flying for Braniff, Lowell Edwin Schaper joined Republic Airlines 07-14-1983 and retired with Northwest Airlines.  Lowell’s daughter Lisa Schaper, now a retired Delta Air Lines pilot, hired on with Delta 01-17-1997. 

Please see Lowell’s biography below.

PCN memorial site

 

Source: aviation friends and colleagues

Lowell's Obituary

 

Lowell Schaper passed away March 29, 2025 – He was 89 years old.  A Celebration of Life is planned for later in the Summer.

 

Lowell began his professional life serving his country in the Marine Corps.  After active duty he became a contract pilot for the Army flying Helicopters.  Lowell was hired by Braniff in 1966.  He was based in MSP and stayed until they shut their doors in 1982.  He was hired by Republic Airlines just a year later then transitioned to Northwest during the 1986 merger.  Lowell retired from Northwest in 1998.

 

In 1971 the Schapers acquired some property and finally decided to turn it into an apple orchard.  Initially they were just selling apples, but they then decided to allow customers to pick their own and enjoy other fun activities.  At one point they had up to 5,000 visitors per day on the weekends.  The business model changed through the years and the Schapers finally sold the business.

 

Lowell is survived by his wife, Phyllis, who is a resident of Harrison Bay Senior Living in Mound, MN; a daughter, Lisa, who is a retired Delta pilot living in Newnan, GA; and three sons, Scott, Jay and Craig, all living in Minnesota.

NWA Capt. William “Bill” Horne

 

~ IN MEMORY ~

NWA Capt. William “Bill” Horne

February 13, 1940 ~ *March 24, 2026

 

William “Bill” Edward Horne joined Northwest Airlines 02-27-1967.  (*discrepancy….message below mentions Bill passed Monday which would have been March 23^rd)  Bill had most recently resided in Florida.  Should we receive more information, we will be sure to pass it along.

Thank you,

~ Carol for the PCN

PCN memorial site

 

Death notice for NWA Captain Bill Horne

William E. (Bill) Horne

February 13, 1940 ~ March 24, 2026

“To my friends formerly Northwest Orient now Delta, it is with deep sadness that I inform you of the passing of our friend Bill Horne. Bill started his pilot career with Northwest around the same time I started stewardess training in the 60's and we became fast friends, easy to do with that smiling face and fun personality. He had been struggling as of late with Alzheimer's and was living in a memory care facility close to his nieces, who lovingly cared for him. He passed on Monday morning with the girls with him and he requested no memorial or services. If you would like to send a card of condolence to his 'girls' as he referred to them, please p.m. me for the address. R.I.P. my friend, it was a great ride.💔”

 

Sam Foss, NWA FA  

Forwarded by Bill Day

DL Capt. Michael M. Blondeau

 

~ IN MEMORY ~

DL Capt. Michael M. Blondeau

September 3, 1941 ~ March 12, 2026

 

Delta Golden Wings member retired pilot Captain Michael “Mike” Minlove Blondeau joined Delta Air Lines 04-11-1966 and retired with Delta based Atlanta. He is survived by his children and their families.  Mike’s most recent address is listed in whitepages :  35 Wrightsburg Ct, Senoia, GA 30276.

A Celebration of Life event to honor Mike will be held at a later date…..please see obituaries below.

PCN memorial site

 

https://obituaries.theadvocate.com/obituary/michael-blondeau-1093694717 

Senoia, Georgia - Michael M. Blondeau, our beloved dad, passed away peacefully on 3/12/2026.

 

He was a dedicated employee of Delta Airlines, having retired as a Captain after 33 years of service.

 

He is preceded by his beloved parents, Eugene and Myrtle; his brother, Eugene; and his fur baby, Suzy.

 

He is survived by his beloved kids: Kelly (Bill), Julie, Jeanie (Paul), Michael (Van), Nancy, and Jennifer (Bruce); his grandkids and great-grandkids; many nieces and nephews; Larry Boy Kern, his best friend since 2nd grade; as well as his loyal caregiver, Fran.

 

A Celebration of Life will be held in his honor, at the lake house, at a later date.

 

https://www.times-herald.com/obituaries/michael-mike-blondeau/article_b4662351-dc5e-4eed-9e9b-be13dc107261.html 

Michael “Mike” Blondeau passed away peacefully in his home in Senoia, GA on March 12, 2026. He was born on September 3, 1941, in New Orleans, LA. He lived a lot of life in between those two dates creating a family, building a successful career, and having a multitude of experiences turned into stories he enjoyed sharing.

Mike spent his life in Louisiana and Georgia, residing many years in Fayette County and then in Coweta

County. He enjoyed the outdoors, especially Lake Martin, and created innumerable memories there with his family. He also enjoyed his farm life on Redwine Road where a multitude of animals were raised through the years. He was a great cook, and his red beans and rice were often requested by friends and family.

Mike started his career with Delta Airlines in 1966, rising the ranks to become Captain of the 767. His 31-year long career equates to a very large number of take-offs, landings and passengers arriving to their destinations-all done so safely. His last flight was on April 30, 1997-FLT 625-LaGuardia to Atlanta-from which point on he was able to enjoy retired life.

More important than career; however, was his family. He is survived by his children, Kelly Ollar (Bill),

Julie Adams, Jeanie Furlow (Paul), Michael Blondeau (Vanessa), Nancy Blondeau, and Jennifer Clendaniel (Bruce); numerous grandchildren; and 3 great grandchildren. He also had a close friendship with his exwife, Sherry Blondeau; and his loyal caregiver, Francene Willis, who became family as well.

Mike was preceded in death by his parents, Eugene and Myrtle Blondeau; his brother, Eugene Blondeau; his stepdaughter, Cherie Vanlandingham; and his nephew, Rick Blondeau.

The family will hold a private ceremony to honor Mike’s life.

Memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in his memory; a cause he

contributed to for many years.

NCA/NWA Capt. Paul Gene Denton

 

~ IN MEMORY ~

Military veteran, NCA/NWA Capt. Paul Gene Denton

February 2, 1930 ~ March 21, 2026

 

…..he was hired as a Co-Pilot by North Central Airlines in 1958 and flew out of Willow Run Airport until the 70's when he became a PIC (Pilot in Command) Captain for Northwest Airlines, flying out of Metro Airport……

Paul is survived by his children and their families.  

PCN memorial site

 

https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/annarbor/name/paul-denton-obituary?id=61109778

Paul Denton Obituary

Paul Gene Denton passed away at the age of 96 on Saturday, March 21, 2026. He was blessed to be sleeping peacefully at home with his family nearby.
Paul was born February 2,1930 in Barlow, Kentucky, the son of Paul Furman and Florence Gertrude Denton. Shortly after his birth they moved to Jackson, Michigan, where the family lived until 1940 when they moved to Dexter. Paul graduated from Dexter High School, Class of '48. He was drafted into the Army in 1951 and trained and served as a helicopter mechanic in Oklahoma, until his discharge in 1953. He had no college education but with the help of several mentors who believed in his self-motivation and determination, he learned to fly at the Ann Arbor Airport. He was hired as a Co-Pilot by North Central Airlines in 1958 and flew out of Willow Run Airport until the 70's when he became a PIC (Pilot in Command) Captain for Northwest Airlines, flying out of Metro Airport. He was a Captain's Captain and was well-respected among his peers. He loved flying.
Paul had four children with his first wife, Betty Mast (Charlie, Paula, Laura, and Tommy) and was the quintessential 60's Dad. Family outings to the State Fair, Detroit Zoo, Greenfield Village, Hudson's at Christmas time, Boat Shows and Christmas Carnivals at Cobo Hall, and Cedar Point were highly anticipated annual events. On those days his strict Pilot persona would transform into an over-indulgent, happy go lucky dad full of fun. The family also enjoyed many well-planned camping trips. Paul was very proud of his highly maintained "rig" that consisted of a small Nomad trailer and a curtained-station wagon (custom designed by their Mom to keep the sun off the four kids while they slept) with an aluminum row boat secured to the top that all the kids learned to water ski behind by "following the bubble trail." A giant sandbox and an ice skating rink were seasonally enjoyed by all the kids growing up in the Ypsi neighborhood of Hickory Hill. The neighborhood was also occasionally treated to a fly-by "wave" when Paul would be heading out on a flight that took him overhead. His children were very proud of their handsome dad in his uniform and cap.
Paul married his second wife, Eleanor Price, in 1977 and retired in 1990 after 32 years of flying. He resumed his life-long hobby of motorcycling, traveling across the U.S. on his Honda Gold Wing and enjoyed houseboating on the Tennessee River in Kentucky, and vacationing in Naples, Florida, with Eleanor. Yet he often mentioned how lucky he had been to have a job he loved.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Eleanor; his parents; two sisters, Werdna Basler and Patty Denton; his first wife, Betty; and children, Laura and Tom Denton. Survivors include his children, Charlie and Paula Denton; four grandchildren, Jeremy Denton (Charlie), Megan Krull (Paula), Kyler Denton McHardy (Laura), Paul Denton (Tom); and great-granddaughters, Evelyn Mae (Megan) and Amelia Grace (Kyler).
A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, April 7th at 1:00 pm at Cole Funeral Chapel in Chelsea, with visitation starting at 12:00 noon. Burial will follow at Oak Grove Cemetery. Memorial contributions can be made to the American Diabetes Association at https://diabetes.org/.

Funeral services provided by:  Cole Funeral Chapel - Chelsea

214 E. Middle St., Chelsea, MI 48118

 

NWA Capt. William “Bill” Harry Taylor Jr.

 

…belated post, but not forgotten

 

~ IN MEMORY ~

USAF veteran, NWA Capt. William “Bill” Harry Taylor Jr.

September 3, 1944 - June 28, 2021

 

Bill joined Northwest Airlines 01-16-1984. 

Findagrave site : https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/241582380/william-harry-taylor

 

Found on Bill's Facebook page :

Friends and Family, this is your Captain speaking.   I have packed my bags for the last time.   I want to thank you all for the love and support.  Your outpouring of affection has made this last flight so much easier.  I led a full and eventful life travelling the world, experiencing culture, and meeting many wonderful people along the way.  I have spent many days grounded and it is time for me to return to the friendly skies.  Now please sit back, relax, and enjoy your flight.

 

Signing off for the last time at 12:41 am 28 June 2021 with all my kids at my side: Katie Taylor Austin Pruneda and Anna Morgan Simkulet

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

 

Bill Taylor began professional life in the Air Force flying B-52s and C-123s spending part of his active duty in Vietnam.  He was hired by Braniff in 1978 (based in MSP) and was there when the lights went out in 1982.  Following Braniff, Bill got on with one of the upstarts, Aerostar.  Next up was Ryan International before Bill accepted the recall back to Braniff 2 in 1984.  After the second bankruptcy, Bill went back to Ryan, but finally found another long term career with Northwest.  Bill retired from the front seats in 2004 then spent another year on the panel as a NWA DC-10 Flight Engineer.  Bill was living in San Antonio when he passed away at the age of 76.