James Bertrand "Jim" Schneider Jr.

1960 - 2025

James "Jim" Bertrand Schneider Jr.

June 19, 1960 - November 25, 2025

James "Jim" Bertrand Schneider Jr., 65, of Long Grove, Iowa, passed away at home with his family on Tuesday, November 25, 2025. He exhibited incredible strength, courage, and positivity throughout his nearly two-year journey with esophageal cancer.

Visitation will be held on Friday, December 5th, 2025, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Faith Lutheran Church in Eldridge, Iowa. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, December 6th, at 11 a.m., with visitation one hour prior to services at Faith Lutheran Church. A luncheon for family and friends will be served after services at the church. Memorial donations in Jim's memory may be directed to Faith Lutheran Church. Chambers Funeral Home of Eldridge is assisting the family with arrangements.

Jim was born on June 19, 1960, in Pontiac, IL, the son of James Bertrand Schneider Sr. and Suzanne (Bradle) Schneider. He was raised in Benson, IL, with his younger siblings Mary, Andy, Greg, and Joe. After graduating from Roanoke-Benson High School in 1978, he attended Illinois State University, where he participated in wrestling and earned a BS in Psychology. He furthered his studies at the University of Kansas, receiving his MSEd in Counseling and becoming a lifelong Jayhawks fan.

Jim met his future wife, Joni Kuehl, while working as a Hall Director at Northeast Missouri (Truman) State University. They were united in marriage on June 25, 1988, at Faith Lutheran Church in Eldridge, IA. The couple spent their first six years together living in Poplar Bluff, MO, where Jim was employed in Student Support Services at Three Rivers Community College. After the birth of their first daughter, Anna Marie, they decided to relocate closer to both of their families and moved to Iowa, eventually settling in Long Grove. Daughter, Jamie Suzanne, soon arrived and completed the family. Jim was a doting father and husband who cared for and spoiled all of his girls, including their dogs.

Jim passionately enjoyed being an educator, adviser, and mentor. He was employed by Scott Community College for 23 years: first at the Career Assistance Center and later as the Director of the TRiO Student Support Services. After taking an early retirement from SCC in 2016, he worked for North Scott Community School District as the School to Work Coordinator, taught college-level Psychology for high school students and worked as a substitute teacher for several area schools. One of Jim's greatest joys was mentoring students and helping them find their path in life.

Jim loved music. He relished singing with the choirs of Faith Lutheran Church and the Quad City Singers and playing his tuba with local groups. He was a very creative chef, concocting many improvised meals for his family. He enjoyed outdoor activities such as fishing, canoeing and especially bicycling, and he proudly fulfilled a lifelong dream of participating in RAGBRAI in 2023. Jim attended Faith Lutheran Church, was a member of the Eldridge Lions, acted and worked with Countryside Community Theater and pursued a motivational speaking vocation through involvement with the QC Toastmasters and the National Speaker Association.

Left to cherish Jim's memory are his wife, Joni; daughters, Anna Marie and Jamie Suzanne; sister, Mary (Steve) Carls of Gridley, IL; brothers, Andrew Schneider of Benson, IL, Greg (Kim) Schneider of Roanoke, IL, and Joe (Brenda) Schneider of Benson, IL; Joni's siblings, Jayne (Mike) Dant of Bartonville, IL, Mary Beth (David) Heimendinger of Scarville, IA, and Matthew (Mary Kay) Kuehl of Powell, OH., his nieces and nephews, Amanda (Brandon), Jacob (Molly), Rachel (Zach), Abby (Adam), Sadie, Adam (Parul), Zoe, Katie and Lola, as well as many aunts, uncles, cousins and extended family members.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents and grandparents.

Condolences may be expressed to the family by viewing his obituary at www.McGinnis-Chambers.com.