John William Schulke Sr., formerly of Niles

Published 8:46 am Thursday, September 5, 2019

Aug. 26, 1941 – Sept. 1, 2019

On Sept. 1, 2019, John William Schulke Sr. passed from this life to his eternal reward while in Hope Hospice after a long struggle with Multiple Myeloma. His loving wife and three children were at his side at Shell Point Retirement Community in Fort Myers, Florida, where he and his wife resided.

He was predeceased by his parents, Ethel Marie Farmer Schulke and Bernard Frederick Bonfoey Schulke, as well as several cousins.

He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Marge Schulke; and his sister, Darlene Greany and husband William; his children, Sandra Kay Ramirez, Nancy Darlene Newkirk and husband Danny, and John William Schulke Jr. and wife Lula; also his grandchildren Matthew Decker, Michael Decker, Jamie Landucci, Jenna Ramirez, Daniel Rogers, Kate Harrison, Sara McClendon, John Schulke III and Andrew Schulke; as well as 19 great grandchildren.

John was born Aug. 26, 1941, in Niles, where he attended local schools. In his youth, he and his close friend Dave Irwin, of Niles, were involved with scouting and both became Eagle Scouts. John was on the Boy Scout staff for many years. He attended Albion State College for two years and received a bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering at Tri-State University.

In 1965, he began work at what later became Singer Link Flight Simulation Company in Riverdale, MD. He continued working for the company through several company buyouts. At age 62, he retired to enjoy life with his wife and children.

John met the love of his life in 1969 while working at Singer Link in Silver Springs MD. Marge worked for the company and the rest is history.

In 1970, they married and lived locally for a few years before John transferred to the Binghamton, New York, facility in 1975.

Once the children left home, he and Marge moved to Orlando, Florida, in 1996 and worked several more years with the same company then called L3 Communications until retirement. They ultimately moved to Shell Point Retirement Community in Fort Myers, Florida where they have resided for the past 12 years.

John enjoyed many hobbies throughout his life including Boy Scouts, camping, kayaking, biking, boating, fishing, genealogy, a puppet ministry and more. He was an avid Bible scholar and arose at 4:30 a.m. each day to begin his day with Bible study and prayer. John dedicated his life to Christ in 1978 and set a strong example of discipleship for his family and friends. He spent many years as church librarian at Shell Point Missionary Alliance Church.

John is now at home in glory with his blessed Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

A memorial service at Shell Point Community will be announced at a later date.

Funeral arrangements by Fort Myers Memorial Gardens Funeral Home, Fort Myers, Florida. Online condolences may be offered at: fortmyersmemorial.com.