Danny "Dano" "Silverfox" J. Schnitzki, age 63, of Butler, passed away Saturday at VNA Inpatient Hospice after a courageous battle with lung cancer.

He was born August 3, 1952 in Butler to the late Anthony "Tony" M. Schnitzki, Sr. and Stephanie Achezinski Schnitzki.

Danny was a 1970 graduate of Butler High School. He served in the U.S. Air Force from 1970-1974.

He was retired and enjoyed golfing, sitting on his deck and around the fire with family and friends. In his earlier years, he played softball for St. Michael's, Dallos Autobody, and the Italian Society of Butler. He also bowled and golfed for the Italian Society of Butler. He was an active member of the Italian Society of Butler, Butler Elks Lodge 170, and American Legion Post 117 of Butler. He was a former member of the Slovak Club and the French and Belgium Club. He loved NASCAR and Pittsburgh sports, especially the Steelers and Pirates.

He leaves behind to cherish his memory his wife Mary Ann Maksanty-Schnitzki, whom he met in 1980 and married November 13, 2004; one sister, Marsha (Schnitzki) Van Gorder and her husband, Donald, of Butler; four nephews, Jason Van Gorder and his wife, Erin, of Slippery Rock, Justin Van Gorder, of Butler, Christopher Schnitzki, of Arizona, and Michael Schnitzki, of Evans City; one niece, Amy Schnitzki and her finance, Brian Forge, of Arizona; one great-niece, Avery Van Gorder, of Slippery Rock; one sister-in-law, Angela Maksanty, of Connoquenessing; one brother-in-law, Richard Maksanty, of Butler; his three canine companions, Chloe, Levi, and Hunter; a number of cousins; and the many friends he met along the way.
In addition to his parents, Danny was preceded in death by his brother, Anthony "Tony" Schnitzki, Jr.

Friends will be received in the Martin Funeral Home, Inc., 429 Center Avenue, Butler, on Tuesday from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday at 10 a.m. from Saint Michael the Archangel Roman Catholic Church, 432 Center Avenue, Butler.

Burial will take place in Calvary Cemetery.

Military Honors will be accorded at the cemetery by American Legion Post 778, of Lyndora, VFW Post 249, of Butler, and American Legion Post 117, of Butler.

The Bereavement Group of Saint Michael the Archangel Parish will meet at the funeral home on Tuesday at 3 p.m. to conduct a Scriptural Wake Service.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Danny's memory to VNA Inpatient Hospice, 115 Technology Drive, Butler, PA 16001 or to the Butler County Humane Society, 1015 Evans City Road, Renfrew, PA 16053.