John H. "Johnny" Schoder, Sr.

John H. “Johnny” Schoder was a wonderful husband, loving father, and compassionate grandfather. A big talker with an enormous heart, he loved everyone selflessly and unconditionally. To know Johnny was to know a man of true integrity who kept his word, never held a grudge, and longed to make people laugh! His warm personality and wonderful sense of humor will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered.

The 1940’s were characterized by WWII. Much of this decade was spent in a battle for a way of life that the country and western powers had spent two centuries building. Some of the most significant inventions that would impact lives for many years to come were created during this time period including the Transistor and the Mobile Phone. Anna and Nageeb Schoder were delighted on September 4, 1946, when Johnny arrived. Born in the Dearborn area the eighth out of nine children, his birth brought his parents great joy and happiness.

Growing up on 15th Street, he was born to a set of hardworking parents. His father worked at the Ford assembly plant while his mother was a homemaker who later went to work at the train depot. Johnny had a typical childhood of the times where he enjoyed playing football, attending camps, and eating hot dogs! His mother loved to call him and his youngest brother, Charlie, “Mutt and Jeff,” after a famous early 1900’s cartoon about a pair of mismatched “tinhorns.” Johnny enlisted in the United States Army at the tender age of seventeen and proudly served in Germany for three years. While there he earned his high school diploma, and when he returned he met his sweetheart Elaine. They married two years later in a church ceremony. It was a marriage that lasted 47 loving years.

Eager to raise a family, their son John Jr. soon arrived followed by their daughter Jeannie just two years later. The greatest days of his life were the days his children were born! Johnny was a terrific father. He had special nicknames for his family members and was known to call Elaine, “Little Bit,” John Jr., “John John,” and his daughter, Jeannie, “Weaner Bell!” There was never a dull moment with Johnny! He cherished his time as a stay at home Dad for a short time while Elaine worked. Johnny never regretted those years. To provide for his family over the years, he spent a remarkable thirty-five years as a union carpenter. He was well-liked by his co-workers and loved to pull pranks on them! Once, he got into some trouble on his shift when he fell asleep on the job! He made many lasting friendships over the years with his co-workers who loved his sense of humor and his ability to put them all at ease.

Johnny was never one to remain idle and held many special interests over the years. He loved to travel and spent many years vacationing in Florida, Toronto, and the beautiful Niagara Falls. His most favorite place for relaxation, however, was summer weekends at the cottage and cruising Lake Erie in his son John Jr.’s boat. He also had many lazy days of summer swimming in the backyard pool or taking a soak in the hot tub. For excitement and entertainment, Johnny loved the thrill of the race track and visiting the local casino. Win or lose, he never lost sight of his goal, which was often to have a good time and share laughter with others! When football season came around, he stayed faithful to his Detroit Lions and loved his Michigan Wolverines! When the Lions were losing, he’d rely on the Maize and Blue to lift him up again! As for music, he wasn’t picky as long as it was Country! When it came time for news, Johnny preferred MSNBC and would watch crime dramas before heading off for bed.

Stewart, his dog, had become his furry companion and best friend for the last ten years. The two of them spent many days outdoors for long walks and fell asleep together each night. Tough on the outside, but soft on the inside, were words to describe such a pleasant and fun-loving man as Johnny Schoder. He leaves behind many wonderful memories for his loved ones to treasure for eternity. May he rest in peace.

John Schoder, “Johnny”, age 71, passed away September 16 surrounded by family. He was a long-standing member of the American Legion, Disabled American Veterans Charity, and the Masons. He was a beloved husband of forty-seven years to his wife, Elaine; a loving father of John Jr., and Jeannie (Tom) Riley; cherished grandfather of Kaitlynn, Kyle, and Kenedi; dearest brother of four sisters; Margie, Lena, Betty, and Virginia and four brothers; Albert, Allie, Richie, and Charlie, and many wonderful nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends Thursday from 2 to 9 pm with a 7 pm. Rosary at Neely Turowski Funeral Home, 30200 Five Mile Rd (between Merriman and Middlebelt). A mass of Christian burial will be Friday, 10 AM at St. Mary Cause of Our Joy Catholic Church, 8200 N. Wayne Rd. He will remain in state from 9:30 AM until mass begins. Interment will be held at Mt. Hope Memorial Gardens. To sign the online guestbook, please visit www.TurowskiFuneralHome.com.