He was born January 30, 1946, in Dixon, the son of Ernest and Kathryn (Reed) Schoaf. John was a graduate of Rock Falls High School, class of 1964. He had been a land surveyor for the Illinois Dept of Transportation for 36 years prior to his retirement on January 31, 1999. John was a member of St Anne Catholic Church, Dixon Knights of Columbus, and the Illinois Professional Land Surveyors Assoc. He volunteered at the Dixon Food Pantry, Meals on Wheels, was a member of the Rock River Restorers Car Club, and enjoyed his Thursday Afternoon Card Club.
John married Diane McCormick on May 28, 1966, at St. Mary Catholic Church in Sterling. He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters – Shirley Fritz and Patricia Jamison.
John is survived by his wife Diane, sons Matthew (Christine) Schoaf of Buffalo Grove, IL, Michael (Ileana) Schoaf of Phoenix, AZ, Dr. Daniel (Tami) Schoaf of Lena, IL, 7 grandchildren, Noah (Rachel) Schoaf, Kieran (Natalie) Schoaf, Isabel (Jack) Schoaf, Monica Schoaf, Lucas (Kelly) Schoaf, Amanda Schoaf, Evan Schoaf, and one great-grandson, Owen Schoaf. He is also survived by one brother, Donald (Pat) Schoaf of Rock Falls, IL, and several nieces and nephews.
Mass of Christian Burial will be on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at 11:00 AM at St. Anne Catholic Church in Dixon with the Rev. Timothy Draper officiating. Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery in Dixon. Visitation will be on Friday from 4:00 to 7:00 PM at the Jones Funeral Home in Dixon with a scripture service at 7:00 PM. Memorials have been established to Newman High School and St. Jude Children’s Hospital.
