John Schoder Jr.

John Schoder Jr. lived life unapologetically loud, full of passion, humor, and boundless generosity. He was the kind of man who spoke with an outside voice even when indoors, who teased his loved ones with affectionate nicknames, and who danced no matter where he was. To know John was to laugh with him, to be challenged by his frankness, and to be embraced by his immense warmth. He lived by the motto “Go Big or Go Home,” and if you spent even a moment in his orbit, you knew he took that sentiment to heart. Whether he was caring for his patients, riding his motorcycle, or belting out a song at a concert, John lived fully and fiercely, leaving behind a lifetime of memories that will be retold with laughter and tears for years to come.

Born on November 27, 1970, in Detroit, Michigan, John arrived into the world at a time when disco was at its peak, Star Wars was just beginning its reign over pop culture, and the Detroit Lions were, well, the same as ever. His parents, Elaine and John Schoder, were young and inexperienced, but filled with love. Elaine was a health claims processor and came from a relatively small and quiet family. In contrast, John Sr. was a carpenter from a family that was large and loud. This set a foundation for the adventurous and exuberant life their son would lead.

John's childhood was a blur of motion: Jr. football games, roller-skating rinks, summer vacations at his grandmother’s cottage in Gladwin, and amusement park trips. He had a huge family of cousins, who were more like built-in best friends, and a younger sister, Jeannie, whom he took great joy in teasing relentlessly.

As a teenager, John played football in high school and took electrical classes, always eager to learn and work with his hands. Hard work wasn’t just something John tolerated—it was something he embraced. He landed a job at Fonte De Amor as a busboy and quickly fell in love with the art of cooking. He worked his way up to assistant cook, picking up tricks of the trade that would serve him well for the rest of his life. Cooking became more than a skill; it became a way to connect, a way to show love, and a way to make people smile.

John also learned to cook his mother's Polish recipes. His stuffed cabbage was his favorite, a dish that carried not only flavors but also memories of home and love. From his mother, he learned kindness, and from his father, he inherited an unstoppable work ethic, a loud voice, and an unshakable sense of humor.

John’s career path was as diverse as his interests. He dabbled in everything—restaurant work, carpentry (where he mastered his father’s secret skills), and eventually nursing, where he found his true calling. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Detroit Mercy, proving that hard work and determination could open new doors at any stage of life. As an RN, John was a force of nature. He thrived in the emergency room, where adrenaline and quick decision-making suited him perfectly. His loud, boisterous personality somehow made him both the life of the workplace and a deeply trusted caregiver. And during the COVID-19 pandemic, when the world seemed to be unraveling, John stepped up. He traveled to the hardest-hit areas, working in hospitals in Brooklyn, New York, and Boston, bringing not only his expertise but also his trademark humor and heart to those in need.

When it came to love, John found his match in Paula Smith, a woman who could appreciate his humor, energy, and love for adventure. Their wedding was quintessentially John, held in Las Vegas with an Elvis impersonator officiating. They spent three years together. Though he had no biological children of his own, John was a beloved uncle, mentor, and father figure to many.

John was always on the move, whether it was for work, adventure, or family. He took trips with his cousins to Niagara Falls, Virginia Beach, Washington D.C., and Colorado, where he even lived for a time and embraced the skiing lifestyle. His wanderlust took him even farther: to China with his cousin Robert, to Ecuador with his cousins Mike and Robert, and across Europe with his good friend Scott. And then there were the many, many trips to Mexico, where he basked in the sun, the culture, and the endless fun.

John had passions that made him who he was. He loved his motorcycle, the freedom of the open road, and the thrill of the ride. He loved concerts, blaring his favorite artists—Jelly Roll, Five Finger Death Punch, Bob Marley—at full volume. He loved roller-skating, though his attempts to reclaim his skills later in life were not quite as graceful as in his youth. He loved shopping, especially for shoes. He was an avid boater, a poolside lounger, and a hot tub enthusiast. Anything that involved being outdoors, being active, and being with people he loved—John was there for it.

His personality was larger than life. He was kind, funny, passionate, and sincerely frank. He had a unique way of making people laugh—not just with words, but with the way he delivered them. His nieces and nephews will forever remember their hilarious nicknames—Kaitlynn, his “space cadet,” Kyle, his “Boob the Builder,” and Kenedi, his “trailer trash.” And of course, he gave himself the grandest of titles— “Uncle Sir John the Great I Love You”—which, to this day, his family still had to humor him by using.

John Schoder Jr. was a force—a man who could not be ignored, who would not be forgotten, and who left behind an imprint of laughter, love, and generosity. His greatest accomplishment wasn’t just becoming a nurse, or traveling the world, or living life to the fullest—it was the way he made people feel. To be loved by John was to be teased mercilessly, to be wrapped in an embrace that was too tight, to be laughed at in the most endearing way possible. He was, in every sense, unforgettable.

For those who knew him, the sound of a certain song, the roar of a motorcycle engine, or the sight of a perfectly cooked dish might bring him back in an instant. His spirit lingers in the laughter of his family, in the stories they tell, and in the love they continue to share. And so, the legacy of John Schoder Jr. lives on—not just in memory, but in the joy he left behind.

Go big or go home, John. And knowing you, wherever you are now, you’re still going big.

John Hababe Schoder Jr., longtime resident of Westland passed away February 1, 2025 at the age of 54. Loving son of Elaine and the late John Schoder. Dear brother of Jeannie (Tom) Riley. Beloved uncle of Kaitlynn (Michael) Halvorsen, Kyle (Patty) Riley and Kenedi Riley. Also survived by his wife Paula, many aunts, cousins and friends.

John was an amazing passionate RN who all his patients loved. He worked in various facilities in Michigan. During Covid he worked in New York Brooklyn also in Boston. Everyone loved his loud personality and his loud outside voice. He will be missed greatly.

Visitation at Neely-Turowski Funeral Home, 30200 Five Mile Rd., Livonia, MI 48154 Friday, February 7, 2025 from 3pm until the time of service at 6pm.