Rick Schooley

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Rick Schooley of Warsaw, Indiana went to be with the Lord at 12:30 p.m. on Monday, February 1, 2021 at VA Northern Indiana Health Care System in Fort Wayne at the age of 70.

He was born on May 14, 1950 in Warsaw, Indiana.  Rick was one of five children born to Agnes Geneal (Rule) Schooley and Herschel Lowell Schooley.  Rick was previously married to Rosie (Moran) Wheeler prior to his marriage on May 21, 1988 to Cheryl Elaine (Ogden) Schooley.  They shared 32 years of marriage, love, laughter, joy, sadness, and everything in between before he passed away. 

Rick was a lifetime resident of Warsaw where he was a 1968 graduate of Warsaw High School.  The day after he graduated from high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force at the age of 18.  He proudly served during the Vietnam Conflict as an aerospace ground equipment operator until his honorable discharge in 1972.  After returning home he made his way in life owning and operating Schooley Insurance.  In 1987 he started Rick’s Electronics where he put his detail-oriented mind and problem-solving skills to work.  He had a great work ethic and served countless customers who would sometimes become friends, until he retired in 2017. 

Rick had a heart of gold and a passion for doing God's work.  Years ago, he had an opportunity to go on his first mission trip to Guatemala with Helping Hands and was hooked.  He returned multiple times to help complete a medical clinic in a small community.  That led to a trip to Africa and multiple trips to Mexico with the Lions Club eyeglass clinic.  Rick also worked with local friends to start their own eye glass team “Uno Mas Missions” in Honduras and the Dominican Republic. He had friends all over the world. Although he never learned another language, he had a unique way of communicating with the locals.

Rick was a member of the Atwood Lions Club and loved to volunteer to serve fish at their fish fries and to visit with the community.  He never knew a stranger and greeted everyone with a smile and “one more fish”!  He was full of life and had such a positive attitude.  Rick had a servant’s heart and a passion for sharing what he loved.  For years he hosted Presby Preschool, Atwood Elementary and Sacred Heart's “Bee & Apple Class” and taught them about bee hives & making apple cider.  Rick could always be found with a camera and capturing the worlds beauty wherever he happened to be.  He even started Three Oaks Photography.  He loved traveling, fishing, photography, woodworking, gardening and he loved his fruit trees.  Rick was a marvelous cook, loved grilling for a crowd and he was the life of the party.  His greatest accomplishment, which he was most proud of, was his four children!  He will be dearly missed by everyone who was fortunate to have known him. 

He will be lovingly remembered by his wife:  Cheryl E. Schooley (Warsaw, Indiana); two sons: Jacob (Katie) Schooley (Columbia City, Indiana); Caleb (significant other, Gabi) Schooley (Warsaw, Indiana); two daughters: Samara (Zak) Yager (Columbia City, Indiana); Heather (J.R.) Dahman (Fort Wayne, Indiana); and he was excited about becoming a grandfather and meeting his first grandson in June.  Also surviving are his two Brothers:  Herschel (Chris Vernatter) Schooley, Jr. (Tippecanoe, Indiana); Brian Schooley (Rio Linda, California); and his sister: Sherry (Gary) Stebbins (Pinckney, Michigan).  Also many nieces and nephews and he had a special bond with his three great nephews: Casen,  Avery and Monroe.   He was preceded in death by his father Herschel L. Schooley on April 10, 2011, his mother, Agnes G. Schooley on December 31, 2008, sister, Diana Schue in 1994. 

Rick’s life will be celebrated with a service at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, February 5, 2021 at Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, 225 Argonne Road, Warsaw, Indiana and officiated by Ron Redpath.  There will be visitation prior to the service from 10:00 – 1:00 p.m.  He will be laid to rest at Oakwood Cemetery of Warsaw with military honors conducted by the American Legion Post #49, V.F.W. #1126 both of Warsaw, and the active duty members of the Air Force Honor Guard. 

Memorial donations may be directed to the Atwood Lions Club, P.O. Box 45, Atwood, Indiana  46502 and would be appreciated by the family.       

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