John J. "Jack" Schaller 1948-2012
John J. "Jack" Schaller, age 63, entered eternal rest April 23, 2012 at Joliet Area Community Hospice Home as the result of complications from liver failure.
A lifelong Sox and Bears fan, Jack was raised on the Southside of Chicago. He graduated from St. Ignatius College Prep, and he later enlisted in the Army and was a soldier in Vietnam. Upon returning from the war, Jack graduated from Illinois State University and began a brief career as a junior high teacher and football coach. While working at Gompers Junior High, Jack met and later married Melissa Stanclik. With his wife's support, he attended Lewis University and pursued his dream of becoming a lawyer, a career he held most of his adult life. Notably, Jack became a prosecutor for the Grundy County States Attorney's office in 1994 and remained until his retirement in June of 2010.
An avid golfer, Jack played the area courses regularly making many friends along the way. Throughout all of these stages of life, Jack could not go anywhere without seeing a familiar face and sharing one of his funny stories. A member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, American Legion Post 1080, and the Will County Irish American Society, Jack will be remembered for his humor and larger than life personality; his pride in his family and his father's bar, Schaller's Pump; and, his devotion to his first grandson, Scotty. Jack will be missed by many and forgotten by none.
He is survived by his wife of thirty-six years, Melissa (nee Stanclik) Schaller; his father, Jack Schaller; his sons, Brad and Jack Schaller; his daughter, Samantha (Brian) Manering; his grandsons, Brian "Scotty" and Ben Manering; his brothers, Jimmy (Michelle) and Jay Schaller; his sisters, Jill (Mickey) Nolan, Sue (Leo) Weber, Colleen (Jack) Sheehan, Betty Jo (Bob) Bailey, and Kim (George) Shinnick; and, his brother-in-law, Ed (Sheryl) Stanclik. He is also survived by ten nieces, seven nephews, two great-nieces, and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, Godchildren, and friends. Jack was preceded in death by his mother, Betty (nee McCormick) Schaller; his sons, John and Kyle; and, his in-laws Edward and Anna Stanclik.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Jack's name to his favorite charity Angels of Hope, 220 West Main Street, Suite 300, Morris, Illinois 60450 or to Joliet Area Community Hospice Home, 250 Water Stone Circle, Joliet, Illinois 60431 would be appreciated.