Jack Stechschulte

1930 - 2021

OCALA, FL. — Dr. C. John (Jack) Stechschulte, 90, of Ocala, FL, formerly of Lima, passed away May 18, 2021, surrounded by members of his loving family.

Jack was born December 30, 1930, in Lima, to Clarence and Margaret Mary (Connelly) Stechschulte, who preceded him in death.

On June 7, 1954, he married Susan R. Cooney, who survives him in Ocala.

Jack was a 1948 graduate of St. Rose High School and earned his undergraduate degree at Xavier University. He went on to graduate from St. Louis University School of Medicine in 1955 and completed his internship at St. Elizabeth's Hospital in Dayton, OH from 1955 to 1956.

After his internship, Jack proudly served actively in the United States Air Force from 1956 to 1958 as a hospital commander and flight surgeon and in the USAF Reserve until 1972. After his active-duty service, he completed his education with his pediatric residency at Ohio State University's Children's Hospital from 1958 to 1960.

Jack was in private practice with Pediatrics of Lima, Inc. from 1960 until his retirement in 1994.

He served as Clinical Associate Professor of Pediatrics at The Ohio State University School of Medicine and at the Medical College of Ohio from 1970 to 1990. His article "Recovery from Rabies" was published in the Annals of Internal Medicine in 1972 following his care of Matt Winkler, the first known survivor of rabies in the world. For his successful work with rabies, he received a Resolution from the Ohio Senate.

Other professional accomplishments include his care of Mike Wrasman, who was born in 1962 weighing just one pound, one ounce. Jack also cared for the Axe family quadruplets.

His involvements in the business and professional community were many. He was very involved at St. Rita's Medical Center where he served as Chief of Staff from 1970 to 1972, chaired the Department of Pediatrics from 1972 to 1983, served on the Lay Advisory Board, the Community Relations Committee, the Development Council, organized and chaired the Medical Ethics Committee and served as a member for many years and, later, Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees.

He received the Human Relations Award from Frontiers International in 1973. He and his wife received the Mercy Club Award, in 1987 from St. Rita's Medical Center. Jack had served on the Certificate of Need Review Board for the State of Ohio, appointed by Governor George Voinovich, the nominating committee for the American Academy of Pediatrics, Bioethics Section, the Executive Committee of the Ohio Chapter American Academy of Pediatrics, and was a Trustee of the Lima Area Medical Education Development, Inc.

He had been active in the community, serving on the United Way Board, the United Cerebral Palsy Board, the Lima and Allen County Hearing Foundation Board, the Board of Catholic Social Services in Lima and the Board of Directors of Heartbeat of Lima and Allen County.

Jack formerly served on the Board of Directors of the Union Bank Company.

In addition to Jack's accomplishments and community involvement, he was a former member of the Lima BPOE #54, the Knights of Columbus, Lima, former member of Shawnee Country Club and a member of Golden Ocala Country Club of Ocala, FL. He was a former member of the Ohio State Medical Association, Academy of Pediatrics, Central Ohio Pediatrics Society, Lima & Allen County Academy of Medicine, Academy of Pro-Life Pediatricians, the Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels and was currently a member of Right to Life Society of Lima and Allen County, as well as a charter member of West Central Ohio Pediatric Society.

Jack was formerly a member of St. Charles Catholic Church and a member of Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Ocala.

In addition to his wife, Jack is survived by his children, Dr. John R. (Jodi) Stechschulte of Columbus, OH, Thomas E. Stechschulte of Frisco, CO, Dr. Mark (Dr. Elizabeth) Stechschulte of Columbus, OH, Susan S. (Dr. Christopher) Roberts of Findlay, OH, Ann M. (and the late Stephen) Meyers of Ocala, FL, Mary Ellen (Robert III) Rowan of Louisville, KY, and Sarah (Jeffrey) Gallant of Boulder, CO; grandchildren Lisa (Adam) Lowe, Dr. John L. (Elizabeth) Stechschulte, Lynn Stechschulte, Dr. Paul (Allison) Stechschulte, Lauren Stechschulte, Dr. Brian (Tegan) Roberts, Sarah (Major Greg) Zerr, Jennifer (Matthew) Kelleher, Emily Rowan, Davis (Carly) Rowan, Mark W. Stechschulte, Ben Stechschulte, Julia Gallant, Daniel Gallant, and Carly Gallant; and 11 great-grandchildren.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his grandson, William John Stechschulte, and his sister, Mary Margaret Stechschulte Downey.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, May 28, 2021, at St. Rose Catholic Church with Father David Ross to officiate.

A live stream of the funeral mass will be available at www.stroselimaohio.org. Burial will follow in Gethsemani Cemetery with military rites performed by VFW Post #1275 and active duty Air Force.

Visitation will be held from 2:00 - 4:00 and 5:00 - 7:00 on Thursday, May 27, 2021, at Chiles Laman Funeral & Cremation Services, Shawnee Chapel.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Rita's Medical Center, St. Charles or St. Rose Catholic Church or Allen County Right to Life Society.

Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.chiles-lamanfh.com.