Sherry “S.J.” John Schaub

This Wednesday, Sherry Schaub went to be in the presence of his Lord and now is dancing on the streets of gold with his and Carol’s two daughters who preceded him to Heaven. He is also singing praises to his Lord in a voice more beautiful than can be imagined!

Homegoing services for Sherry “S.J.” John Schaub, 76, Lawrence will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, February 3, 2018 at Lawrence Free Methodist Church in Lawrence. Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, February 6, 2018 at Rose Hill Cemetery in Spearfish, SD. He passed away Wednesday, January 31, 2018 at Lawrence Memorial Hospital.

The family will greet friends from 9:30 – 11am on Saturday, prior to the service at Free Methodist Church.

Sherry was born February 3, 1941 in Belle Fourche, SD, the son of John and Bernice (Middlemas) Schaub. He grew up in Spearfish, SD, where his parents ran a Mobil Oil business and local motel.

He married his High School Sweetheart, Carol Joyce Knutson June 10, 1962 in Spearfish, SD.

He is survived by his loving wife Carol.

Additional survivors include his daughters. Stacy Looney with husband, Keith, and grandchildren, Hayley, Jackson and Megan. Dea Burmingham with husband, Larry, and grandchildren, Rebecca and Spencer. Sherry was also preceded in death by two daughters, Tamara Jo, and Rebecca Jo.

For the record, “Sherry” wasn’t always an easy name for a man to have, and it often confused folks when they first met him. So it’s not surprising that he went by several different names among family and friends: S.J; Bubba; Rambo; Sherry John; Sonny; Dad; Poppy; and Mr. Schaub. Sherry grew up in the Black Hills of South Dakota, hunting with his Dad and his dog. This forged a lifelong love of God’s creation. Later in life, he was able to cultivate this love through ATV trips with Carol and close friends, where he was also known by another name, “The Leader of the Pack.” No matter what name we called him by, we are all glad to call him “friend.”

Sherry graduated from Iowa State University with a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering. He also received his Master of Science in Business Management from Northern Illinois University, and PMD with the Executive Business Program from Harvard Business School.

Sherry began his professional career as an Engineer with the Beloit Corporation. He worked with IBM and the Ingersoll Milling Company. He completed his professional career with the Quaker Oats Company, serving there for 25 years in a number of roles. It was the Quaker Oats Company that first brought him to the Lawrence community in 1977 to begin the start-up for the Kibbles ‘N Bits Pet Foods plant in North Lawrence, causing his family to wonder whether he might always smell like dog food! In 1986, Sherry took a role as VP of Operations with the Golden Grain Division in the San Francisco Bay Area. In 1990, he returned to the Quaker home office in Chicago, where he served as the Vice President and Chief Purchasing Officer for the company. In 1998, when Sherry retired, he and Carol returned and made their home in Lawrence again.

During both his professional and retirement life, Sherry served on a volunteer basis in the Lawrence community in a number of ways beginning with his church, with the Lawrence Chamber, and also with numerous other organizations in Lawrence.

Sherry’s faith in the Lord Jesus Christ was central to every part of his life. He was a member of the Lawrence Free Methodist Church in Lawrence where he served in many ways. Sherry has actively participated in and coordinated numerous Gospel-based mission trips to serve the needy throughout the globe. He also served with many Christian ministries and charitable groups, and most especially with Kids Alive Ministries.

Most prominent and consistent throughout Sherry’s entire life has been his love of music. He has coordinated and participated in countless quartets, choirs and assorted choral groups. At one point, Sherry even worked on producing the weekly Christian music television program, “Quest for Life.” His life verse from scripture is from Psalm 33:1, capturing his love for both music and Christ, “Sing joyfully to the Lord!”

Memorial contributions may be made in Sherry Schaub’s name to Lawrence Free Methodist Church and Kids Alive International. These may be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary.