John W. Schinzer went home to heaven on Sunday, April 12th, 2026. John was born in rural Ashton, Illinois on August 25th,1930 to Frank and Mary Alice (nee Turner) Schinzer. He was a graduate of Ashton High School and attended Rockford Business School before joining the United States Air Force. After his service during the Korean War, he briefly returned to farm life before employment at DelMonte. At the age of 43 he found his true calling in insurance sales and estate planning. The relationships he formed in his life’s work, his church, and his community were very important to him. He was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Rochelle. His faith was steadfast and a source of great comfort throughout his life. He was also a member of Kiwanis Golden K and the American Legion. John’s greatest accomplishment and source of pride was his family. His care and love for his family is a treasured legacy, which will continue to grow.

John was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Frank and sister -in-law Dorothy Schinzer, his sister Arlene and brother-in-law Ralph (Bud) Glaser, his sister-in-law Carol Schinzer, niece Beverly Sanders, and infant daughter Cynthia Joy. He was also preceded in death by his in-laws, Stanley and Edna Cleveland, brothers -in-law Donald Cleveland, James Ball, and Dale Stein, sisters-in-law Delores Ball, Kathryn Cleveland, and Judy Cleveland. John is survived by his loving wife Lea (nee Cleveland) Schinzer, his children Richard Schinzer, William (Martie) Schinzer, Craig (Sue) Schinzer, Steven (Laurie) Schinzer, Charles Schinzer, Kelly (Bill) Usilton, and Timothy (Laura) Schinzer, his grandchildren, great grandchildren, brother Gene Schinzer, and many nephews and nieces.

Services for John will be held on Thursday, April 16th at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 1415 Tenth Avenue, Rochelle, Illinois. Visitation will be from 9-11, with service to follow at 11. Burial at Lawnridge Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Paul Lutheran Church and School or St. Jude Children’s Hospital. The family wishes to extend our deepest gratitude to the nursing staff at Rochelle Community Hospital. The compassionate care extended to our family is greatly appreciated.