John Maurice "Jack" Schoder

John Maurice "Jack" Schoder of Battle Creek, MI





Jack, age 67, died Tuesday evening, July 14, 2015 after having complications associated with a heart attack on July 10th.


Jack, the son of Paul and Jean (Damon) Schoder, was born in Battle Creek on December 2, 1947; he was a lifetime area resident and 1965 graduate of St. Phillip Catholic High School. In his time there, he set many athletic records and led his football, basketball, track, and golf teams to countless victories. He was well known as a standout athlete in the area. After a few years at CMU, he took employment with the Calhoun County Sheriff's Department. Jack served 27 years and his duties were many and varied including patrolman, undercover narcotics officer, and detective. He retired in 1995 and began working for Schoder Construction along with his father and brother, Jim. In 2008 he left the hammer and began working directly with the people he previously put away at KPEP in Battle Creek. During the last 7 years, he took a lot of pride in the relationships and lives he impacted while there, especially through the domestic violence classes he led. Jack was a charismatic and charming family man who was contagious to be around. His life revolved around raising a family and loved them unconditionally.


Jack was united in marriage to the former Susan Ann Steffey on July 3, 1983 at St. Phillip Roman Catholic Church, Battle Creek. Surviving is his wife of 32 years, Sue; his two sons, John Paul "Jack" (Kara) Schoder of Kalamazoo and Christopher James (Fiance', Kaitlin Denton) Schoder of Grand Blanc, MI; two precious grandchildren, Connor John and Ella Robin Schoder; three sisters, Karen Grimes of Detroit, MI, Mary Lou (Bill) Cavnar of Ann Arbor, MI and Teresa (David) Horn of Ypsilanti, MI and two brothers, Joseph (Patty) Schoder of Buffalo, MN and James (Diane) Schoder of Battle Creek. Jack was preceded in death by his parents.


Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, July 17th at 11:00 a.m. in St. Philip Roman Catholic Church, 92 Capital Avenue, NE with Father Francis A. Marotti, Celebrant. Jack's family will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. until Mass time at the Church on Friday. Immediately following the Mass, family and friends will continue Jack's life celebration with a time of fellowship and a luncheon at the St. Philip Parish Center. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to help defray Jack's medical expenses. The Farley-Estes & Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care, Battle Creek is handling Jack's arrangements.