John Scheuer, 83, of Coloma, Michigan passed away on Easter Sunday, April 12, in Benton Harbor.  Born July 13, 1936 in Gabos, Yugoslavia, John and his family lived in Vodjinci until forced to flee to Garsten, Austria, where they were refugees from 1944 – 1951.  The beauty and relative tranquility of Garsten imprinted deeply on John, and the mountain village remained dear to him throughout his life.  In 1951, the family emigrated to the United States and settled in Coloma, where John learned to speak English and graduated high school as senior class president.  After high school, he served in the U.S. Air Force, stationed in North Africa and at the Pentagon, and particularly enjoyed his time in the Strategic Air Command, specializing in weather.

After the service, John jumped headfirst into family life, marrying his sweetheart, Lois Brown, and raising four children together. They would have celebrated their 60 ^th wedding anniversary on April 23.  John was a tireless provider for his family, working as corrugator supervisor for Menasha Corporation for 42 years, as well as at his brother's hardware store.

Outside of work, John was the go-to guy if anything was broken.  He was handy, talented and interested in everything, enjoying an array of activities over the years, including bowling, gardening, woodworking, fishing, golfing, playing harmonica, sketching and painting, which he continued well into his later life. He was a gifted story teller and always had a funny or fascinating tale from the old country.  And every July 4 ^th , he could be found sweating over his trusty Weber kettle, grilling heaps of mouth-watering steaks for his family and friends.

But what we will miss most is John's kind, gentle and fun-loving spirit.  He delighted in all children, especially his grandchildren, jumping at any chance to play goofy games with them, teach them German songs and rhymes, or be the most exuberant cheerleader at their sporting events. Winter days found him pushing his snow blower from house to house, clearing driveways for his neighbors.  Years ago, John built a swing, hung it from a ridiculously high tree branch in his yard and proceeded to thrill his kids—and then grandkids—by sending them soaring to dangerous heights.  He invited everyone he knew to swim in the pool he constructed—never has an above ground pool served so many, for so many decades.  On his 70 ^th birthday, he flew in a glider.  And in his passing, we rejoice that he is free to fly once more.

John will always be dearly loved. Until we meet again, he will live on in the memories of his wife, Lois, siblings Tony (Virginia) Scheuer, and Elisabeth (the late John Koerts) Scheuer, brother-in-law Bill (Eileen) Abler, children David (Heather) Scheuer, Julie (Dan) Smith, Linda (Jim) Goering, and Marina (Wes) McCreary, 11 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild, as well as cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.  He is predeceased by his parents, Joseph and Eva Scheuer, brothers Joža and Mira, sisters Barbara (the late George) Wolfram, and Theresa Abler.

Due to current quarantine guidelines, a service will be held at a later date at Duffield & Pastrick Funeral Home in Coloma.  In remembrance of John, memorials may be made to the Alzheimer's Association or a charity of choice.