COLUMBUS

John L. Schroer, 82, of Columbus, passed away at 8:15 p.m. Tuesday Dec. 8, 2015, at Columbus Regional Health.

Born Oct. 12, 1933, in Columbus, he was the son of Theodore and Irene Burbrink Schroer, both of whom preceded him in death. He had lived his entire life in the Columbus area. On Aug. 16, 1959, he married Carolyn Jean Durkes, and they recently celebrated 56 years together.

John graduated from Columbus High School with the class of 1951 and served his country in the U.S. Army. He retired from Cummins Engine Co. and was a longtime area farmer. He was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church at White Creek and Indiana Farm Bureau.

John and Carolyn were blessed with three children, Bryan J. (Linda) Schroer of Columbus, Joy Ellen (David) Harrison of Agoura Hill, California, and Susan Marie (Paul) Sokolowski of Clearwater, Florida; and five grandchildren, Abby Schroer, Tom Schroer, Emily Harrison, Ryan Harrison and Leland Sokolowski.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Norman Schroer, and a sister, Velma Enzinger.

The funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at St. John’s Lutheran Church at White Creek with pastors Ed Keinath and Matthew Jung officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. today at Jewell-Rittman Family Funeral Home and from 9 a.m. until time of service Saturday at the church.

Memorials may be made to St. John’s Lutheran Church-White Creek Building Fund or to Trinity Lutheran High School.

To view a video tribute, light a virtual candle and/or share a message with the Schroer family visit jewellrittman.com.