John N. Schneider of Dallas observed his 100th birthday on Tuesday, said his Corvallis relatives.

An open house to celebrate the occasion will take place from 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday at his home at 435 S.E. Fir Villa Road, Dallas. The family has requested no gifts.

Schneider was born on Nov. 17, 1909, in Chicago, Ill. He grew up in Illinois and Iowa with his brother and two sisters. He served in World War II as a Seabee in the U.S. Navy. While stationed on the islands of Saipan and Tinian, he helped build runways for B-29s. He attended Fort Hays Teacher's College in Kansas, attained his teaching degree, and taught for 26 years in Kansas, California, Alaska and finally North Bend.

John met Lucille while attending college; they celebrated their 59th wedding anniversary last week. They have five children, Kathy, Niki, Jon, Marie and Karin, who live in Corvallis; seven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.