John Schmachtenberger

Age 88, of Minerva, died Sunday, April 14, 2019. He was born July 13, 1930 in Canton to John and Margaret (Adset) Schmachtenberger. He was a lifetime farmer and school bus driver for Minerva Local Schools for 20 years. He graduated from Minerva High School and is a member of Bayard Grange in Minerva and the Stark County Farm Bureau.

He is preceded in death by his wife, LaDonna (Bates) Schmachtenberger who died in 2016; son-in-law, Bart Steiger; sister, Jean Unkefer; brother, Robert Schmachtenberger. He is survived by his 5 children, Cynthia (Dan) Draher of Erie Pa., Al  Schmachtenberger of East Rochester, Tom Schmachtenberger, Roger (Sherry) Schmachtenberger, and Joyce Steiger of Alliance; 10 grandchildren, Remlee (Eric) Zeiser, Colby Draher (Zeke Waugaman), Sarah (Luke) Kapper, Shelly (Carson) Stone, Sally Schmachtenberger, Lee Steiger & Mandy Townsend, Karen (Brian) Moff, Erica Steiger, Daniel (Catie) Atwell, Joshua (Chelsea) Atwell; 15 great grandchildren; Eli, Benjamin and Liliana Zeiser, Kennedy and Cash Waugaman, David and Emilie Moff, Ellie Kapper, Camren, Chloe, and Riley Atwell, Harley, Chloe, Lexey and Hannah Townsend.  A special "Thank You" to Rose Miller for all her special care.

Funeral services will be Wednesday at 11:00 am in St. John's Lutheran Church in New Franklin with Pastor Diane Thompson officiating. Burial will be in Moultrie Chapel Cemetery. Calling hours will be Tuesday 6-8 pm in the Gotschall-Hutchison Funeral Home.