John Edward Schnackenberg of Nokomis, FL passed at home on February 23, 2020. He was eighty years young.  John was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to Frank and Catherine Schnackenberg. John is survived by his wife Beverly Bowen and their Irish Setter, Shannon; brothers Paul (Ginger) Schnackenberg, of Venice, FL; Frank (Carol) Schnackenberg of Muskego, WI; and sister Mary (Jim) Miller of Oconomowoc, WI.  John was extremely proud of each of his children, Jay (Stacey) Schnackenberg of North Port FL; Laura Schnackenberg of Thornton, CO; and Kenny Schnackenberg of Golden, CO as well as 2 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. John loved his many sister-in-laws and brother-in-laws, nieces and nephews.  He had an abundance of wonderful friends. 

John was extremely intelligent.  He had many talents and interests.  He served in the US army in his young life. He was fiercely patriotic and would go on to support veterans causes.  John had an entrepreneurial spirit, created and managed several businesses. He sold insurance for a time and owned a painting/contracting business.  John was an avid sailor much of his life.  His pride and joy was a sailboat he built himself he named Amazing Grace.  John loved fishing, hunting, and hiking.  He back packed thru parts of Europe during the late 1980’s. He loved motorcycles. He competitively raced boats, and for a time he was a delivery captain of boats he sailed from New England to the Caribbean. He loved sports, especially soccer.  He coached soccer and served as a ski instructor. 

John met the love of his life, Beverly, at a dance class in 2010, and they discovered the joy of dancing together they would share the rest of John’s life.  They were very grateful to experience a love not everyone gets to experience and worked together in real estate for 9 years.  Their favorite dance was the nightclub two step.  John loved Hobie sailing kayaks and was co-commodore with Beverly for the Dolphin Island Club in Sarasota, FL.  They shared a love of swimming, gardening, and orchids as well.

John was very caring and thoughtful. He enjoyed teaching, encouraging and inspiring people.  He strove to live each day to the fullest.  He loved life and people. John was a bright light in this world, and he will be missed sorely by anyone who had the pleasure to know him.    

As written by dear friends, “It was clear from the first time we met you that the two of you were so much in love with each other and with life. We will miss John; his energy, his heart, and his upbeat personality. He made us smile frequently; how could anyone repeatedly win a raffle at will? And how many ways could someone get out of having to cook on Wednesday?”