John J. Schomaker

John J. Schomaker, 69, Wamego, passed away February 16, 2015 at Stormont Vail Hospital in Topeka. John was born on September 27, 1945, the son of Bernard and Minnie (Wells) Schomaker in Humboldt, Kansas. He was in the graduating class of 1964 from Circle High School in Towanda, Kansas. After high school, John served in the United States Marine Corps on Guam during the Vietnam War. On June 10, 1967, he was united in marriage with Betty (Minard) Schomaker in Benton, Kansas. He enjoyed his work for the Union Pacific Railroad, Maintenance of Way, for 36 years. John’s greatest joy was his children and grandchildren and always liked keeping busy. He was active in the Wamego First United Methodist Church, as he was in any church he attended, and always enjoyed attending bible studies as he studied God’s Word. He was an avid bowler with his daughter on Wednesday nights, a handyman wherever needed, and enjoyed being in the great outdoors RVing with his wife throughout the lower 48. He particularly looked forward to traveling across the Northern Rocky Mountains into Alaska to visit his daughter and family in Fairbanks, AK, during the summer months since his retirement. John was also an active member of the Son-Flower Laity Renewal, as a Lay Witness Mission team member. He was survived by his wife, three daughters: Micki Schomaker, El Dorado, KS, Kristi (Christopher) DeLeon, Fairbanks, AK, and Wendy (Kevin) Nichols, Wamego; mother: Wilma (Wells) Stolhand, Towanda, KS; three brothers: Frank (Janice) Schomaker, Humboldt, KS, Willey (Kenetha) Stolhand, El Dorado, KS, and Marty (Mary) Schomaker, Piqua, KS; five sisters: Lucille Thomas, El Dorado, KS, Mary (Darrel) Young, Garnett, KS, Louise (Gary) Webb, Bella Vista, AR, Joyce (Dennis) Hagerman, Garden City, KS, and Brenda (Marvin) Dodson, Towanda, KS; and four grandchildren: Darian Schomaker, Kaleigh DeLeon, Gabriel DeLeon, and Cal Nichols. He was preceded in death by his parents. Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, February 23, 2015 at the Wamego First United Methodist Church. John will lie in-state from 1:00 – 6:00 p.m. with a visitation to follow from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 22, 2015 at Stewart Funeral Home of Wamego. Graveside services will be at the Walnut Valley Cemetery in El Dorado at 3:30 p.m. with a visitation following at Hope Covenant Church, 2585 Debra Drive. In lieu of flowers, the family has suggested memorial contributions to the Wamego First United Methodist Church, Midwest Transplant Network, and Son-Flower Laity Renewal and maybe left in care of Stewart Funeral Home, P.O. Box 48, Wamego, KS 66547.