John Schoffstall was a loving father, devoted husband, and instant friend to anyone who met him. He died on Easter Sunday, April 12,2020. He is no longer physically present on Earth, but his memory remains forever in our hearts.
John was a community staple. His passions were family, faith, and friends. John would help anyone in need. He was a coach in the Vigo County Youth Football League for his son and his teammates. John loved watching his boys grow and develop. He wasn’t just their coach; he was their biggest fan.
John helped coach his daughter in softball. He loved watching her and her teammates grow into young women while learning teamwork. His softball girls knew that John might be hard on them, but if they needed anything, they could come to him and he would be there.
Family meant everything to John. If he was not at the firehouse, you would find him at one of his children’s sporting events or doing something outdoors. He and his son started a small deer feed and food plot seed business to help support their hunting hobby. In fall 2019, John was able to finally harvest the buck of his dreams. For 6 ½ years, he watched this buck grow into a mature whitetail. This was one of the greatest hunting adventures he and his son had.
John had a passion for the fire service from his young adolescent years, as he watched his father as a firefighter with New Goshen Volunteer Fire and Rescue. John started in the fire service as a cadet. When he came of age, he became a volunteer firefighter with New Goshen Fire and Rescue and Sugar Creek Fire Department.
At age 21, he began his professional career in the fire service at Newport Chemical Depot. During his tenure there, he was given a 4-star General Coin. The General stated he had never seen a fire crew so professional during a landing of a helicopter transporting personnel.
In May 2009, after Newport Chemical closed, John began his career with Terre Haute City Fire Department as a firefighter/paramedic. He loved the career he chose and said it wasn’t a job, because he loved going to the firehouse. When John talked about the fire service, you knew he truly had a passion for helping other people in their time of need.
John’s giving legacy lives on through his wife, Jennifer; children, Jake and Jaidyn; parents, Rex and Trish; sister, Kim (Chris); nephews, Dalton and Garrett; and many family members and friends. We will always remember John’s amazing laugh as it would fill up a room and everyone would smile.
John,
Thank you for our friendship over the years. You taught me a lot in the fire service and so much more. Just want to thank you for everything you done. Sure do miss our talks. Tell my grandparents hi for me.
Pickens
– Kirk Pickens