Luke B. Schoenlein

In the early morning hours of Monday, October 25th, Luke B. Schoenlein (aka as Husband, Dad, Grandpa, Great Grandpa, Uncle, Brother, Neighbor and Friend) took his last earthly breath as he was led into heaven by his wife, Jennie, and daughter, Theresa, while being lovingly surrounded by his children on earth. Prior to leaving this earth, we were blessed to celebrate his 88th birthday with children, grandchildren and great grandchildren singing him “Happy Birthday.” Luke taught his children and grandchildren to persevere, to face challenges head on, to have an outlook of taking one day at a time and not stew over things out of our control. He exemplified this with his facing heart disease in his early 50s, becoming a wealth of knowledge on exercise, cholesterol and fat. Until the end when chemo no longer gave him the strength, he could be found walking 10 miles a week at the local YMCA. When diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2018, he tackled it head on just as he did with everything else in life. He researched treatments discussing options with his doctors and planned a course of action. Even when he learned of the addition of stomach cancer to his illnesses, he would set his mind to keep moving and would set goals to walk laps around his house to build his strength up. It would not be uncommon to hear “well, that is the way it goes.” That simple phrase, accept what has been handed to you which may be beyond your control, adjust and move on, was his philosophy of life. Endearingly, he was referred to by those who got to know him well enough as “Coolhand Luke.” His caring nurses at Hospice referred to him that way until the very end. Often calling those he interacted with as “kid”, everyone who met him was immediately drawn to his easy going demeanor and genuine care for others. His easygoingness sometimes would be interrupted by his quick wit and could often catch people pleasantly off guard. Above all else, the most important thing to dad was family. Growing up as the second youngest in a family of four to raising six children of his own, “family is everything.” He met his lifetime partner, Jennie on a blind date. Nothing would please him more than when one of his own children or grandchild sharing the news of a child on the way. Dad and mom were blessed with 15 grandchildren, 2 step-grandchildren, five great grandchildren and one step-great grandchild.. Grandpa, as he was referred to, could be found playing games, dress-up, trains or tea, but one of his favorite things was taking the grandchildren for walks in their strollers. Dad showed the power of true love when he became our mother’s caregiver as she suffered from cancer and eventually dementia. He doted on her with such kindness and sweetness that it showed us by not words, but actions what true love is. A few things many may not know about our father. He served our great nation in the Army during the Korean War and in high school he played on the State Championship Coldwater High School Football Team. We often referred to dad as the “sweet potato king” in that he took pride in growing some of the biggest sweet potatoes one may see. In his more spry days, he would join the family in competitive badminton matches. Upon moving into our parents’ condo development, he became the resident “sprinkler expert”. Memories which will bring a twinkle to our eyes: his interpretation of M*A*S*H while playing charades, going “alone” and “counting on your partner for a trick” while playing euchre, pulling up his socks when the game he was watching got exciting, tending to the large garden which helped feed our large family, fishing on the banks of the Maumee river, checking the depth of the ice with his long handled screwdriver to make sure it was safe for us to ice skate and play hockey, his love of ice cream (especially from Mr Freeze), listening to Bob Brinker for investment advice and watching Monk on Sunday nights. We would like to thank our parents for their unwavering support.. Our parents had a gift of offering advice quietly without judgement. They would support us in our decisions even though they may not always fully agree with them, but their love and support was never questioned. While we have lost our father here on earth, we know he will be watching over us and guiding us daily. We are content knowing he is finally reunited with our mom, sister and her husband who we know welcomed him with open arms into heaven. Our family would to like to sincerely thank Dr, Phinney, Dr, Sferra, the nurses, aides and staff at Hospice of Northwest Ohio- home care and inpatient Toledo campus, the nurses and staff at the Toledo Clinic Cancer Center- Maumee office Donations may be made to: The Toledo Clinic Foundation, Hospice of Northwest Ohio or St Rose Catholic Church - Music Ministry At the request of our father, facial coverings are required to be worn during all inside services. Reception of Visitors: Friday, October 29th 4-7 pm, Rosary at 6:30 pm Witzler Shank Walker Funeral Home 222 E South Boundary St Perrysburg, Ohio 43551 Celebration of Life Mass: Saturday, October 30th 10 am St. Rose Parish 215 E Front St Perrysburg, Ohio 43551 Graveside Service immediately following: St. Rose Cemetery 11330 Avenue Rd (State Route 795) Perrysburg, Ohio 43551 Luncheon: Zoar Lutheran Church 314 E Indiana Ave Perrysburg, Ohio 43551 Born: October 11, 1933 in Coldwater, Ohio Rose to Heaven: October 25, 2021 at Hospice of Northwest Ohio, Toledo location Welcoming him into heaven:: Wife: Jennie Schoenlein Daughter & Son-In-Law: Theresa & Jim Stevens Parents: John and Regina Schoenlein Siblings: Sr. Armella Schoenlein, James Schoenlein, Irene (David) Schoenlein Continues to watch over on earth:: Children: Mark (Meg) Schoenlein, Becky (Doug) Williams, John (Joyce) Schoenlein, Bill (Beth) Schoenlein, Julie (John) Pile Grandchildren: Catie (Jon), Robert (Jill), Emily (Molly), Sara (Dyter), Erin, Landan, Andrew, Ryan (Katherine), Nathan (Briana), Michael (Sarah), Melissa, Kelsey, Max, Aidan, Daegan, Sophia, Joseph Great Grandchildren: Jayden, Nora, Lena, Owen, Alba, Aloa Siblings: David Schoenlein, Betty (James) Schoenlein Many nieces and nephews who lovingly called him “Uncle Luke”