John Scholz

John William Scholz, 87, of Whitewater passed away Monday, Aug. 4, 2014, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau.

He was born June 30, 1927, in Whitewater, son of William "Bill" and Cora Edith Snell Scholz. He and Helen Haehnlein Welch were married July 1, 1978.

John was a veteran of the U.S. Army, serving from Feb. 4, 1946, until honorably discharged from active duty July 25, 1955.

He attended Bethlehem General Baptist Church at Crump. He worked as a plumber in the Cape Girardeau area, and also as a pipe fitter out of Local 562 retiring in 1989. John enjoyed life on the farm and having his grandchildren and great-grandchildren around, especially his shadow, Christopher.

Loving survivors include his wife of 36 years, Helen; seven children, John (Tammie) Hamilton, Ramona (John) Matthews, Robert Leadbetter, Rhonda (Al) Blumenberg, Rebecca Houston, Karen Leadbetter and Kim Barks; a brother, Bob (Joan) Scholz; and two sisters, Gladys Barbee and Pearl Harless; 21 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by three brothers and two sisters.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. today at the chapel of McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson, and from 9 a.m. until service time Thursday at Bethlehem General Baptist Church.

The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at the church, with the Rev. Joe Allen officiating. Interment will be in Barks Chapel Cemetery near Crump, with full military honors provided.

Memorials may take the form of contributions to Barks Chapel Cemetery.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting mccombsfuneralhome.com.