Obituary
Posted on Facebook--Nov 15, 2023 by Pat Hornsby Jakel
John Charles Schnell
5-4-1940 ~ 10-17-2023
John was born in Henderson, Colorado on May 4, 1940 to Edna M. (Petersen) and Leroy E. Schnell. He has two siblings, Nancy (Lee) Corsentino of Brush, CO., and his sister, Linda (Ron) Meade, and dear brothers’ in law (Johnnie & Danny) preceded him in death. John also has many nieces, brothers-in-law and nephews. He was also a father figure for many without a strong man in their lives. We will miss his funny and warm personality.
John married the love of his life, N. Ruth (Hornsby) of Brighton, CO, on 11-09-1961 in Brighton, CO, celebrating nearly 62 years of love and devotion. He has two children: three grandchildren and several step-grandchildren along with countless friends across this planet.
John was raised in a hard-working farming family with a beautiful vegetable market in Henderson, Colorado and graduated from Brighton High School, class of 1958.
John was a dedicated son, employee, partner, friend, husband, uncle, and father and we are grateful for all of the fun memories John generated. John worked most of his life at Rio Grande Motorway delivering materials to businesses in Denver and the foothills. He retired at age 56 and promptly took up golfing and working part time for other establishments for several more years. He taught several people how to drive the “big rigs” and was a professional driver and mentor.
He loved jazz: listening, playing and sharing this love with his family. John also shared his love of camping and fishing in the most remote places in the mountains of Colorado- especially Lake Crosho and Sheriff's Reservoir. We loved visiting Glennwood Springs as a family and he also introduced us to motocross riding, something we combined with these fishing and camping trips.
He and Ruthie loved to travel to Maui and share the beauty of the islands with his family and friends. Golfing was a passion and had many trips with friends, Ruthie, Brad and others.
We also loved playing cards with him and of course BINGO - which he would often win.
Ultimately, John was a friend to all people and his pets ~ you could see him walking his little dogs to the park and meeting so many other friends in his community of Ventana Lakes in Arizona.
After fighting back a cancer diagnosis, John was able to love all of us to the end on October 17, 2023. We thank all of you for enriching John’s life with your love and care. We will continue loving him and sharing these stories, in his honor.
5-4-1940 ~ 10-17-2023
John was born in Henderson, Colorado on May 4, 1940 to Edna M. (Petersen) and Leroy E. Schnell. He has two siblings, Nancy (Lee) Corsentino of Brush, CO., and his sister, Linda (Ron) Meade, and dear brothers’ in law (Johnnie & Danny) preceded him in death. John also has many nieces, brothers-in-law and nephews. He was also a father figure for many without a strong man in their lives. We will miss his funny and warm personality.
John married the love of his life, N. Ruth (Hornsby) of Brighton, CO, on 11-09-1961 in Brighton, CO, celebrating nearly 62 years of love and devotion. He has two children: three grandchildren and several step-grandchildren along with countless friends across this planet.
John was raised in a hard-working farming family with a beautiful vegetable market in Henderson, Colorado and graduated from Brighton High School, class of 1958.
John was a dedicated son, employee, partner, friend, husband, uncle, and father and we are grateful for all of the fun memories John generated. John worked most of his life at Rio Grande Motorway delivering materials to businesses in Denver and the foothills. He retired at age 56 and promptly took up golfing and working part time for other establishments for several more years. He taught several people how to drive the “big rigs” and was a professional driver and mentor.
He loved jazz: listening, playing and sharing this love with his family. John also shared his love of camping and fishing in the most remote places in the mountains of Colorado- especially Lake Crosho and Sheriff's Reservoir. We loved visiting Glennwood Springs as a family and he also introduced us to motocross riding, something we combined with these fishing and camping trips.
He and Ruthie loved to travel to Maui and share the beauty of the islands with his family and friends. Golfing was a passion and had many trips with friends, Ruthie, Brad and others.
We also loved playing cards with him and of course BINGO - which he would often win.
Ultimately, John was a friend to all people and his pets ~ you could see him walking his little dogs to the park and meeting so many other friends in his community of Ventana Lakes in Arizona.
After fighting back a cancer diagnosis, John was able to love all of us to the end on October 17, 2023. We thank all of you for enriching John’s life with your love and care. We will continue loving him and sharing these stories, in his honor.
