Thomas Lee Schoenherr

Thomas Lee Schoenherr, 89, of Fort Wayne, IN and Bronson, MI passed away peacefully at home on November 9, 2023. A loving father, grandpa and great-grandpa, he is survived by two daughters, five step-children, 27 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren. He was proceeded in death by his wife, Jerry Schoenherr in 2011. Tom fought Alzheimers in his later years and lived with his son Jim and wife Kim and their family, who provided loving care and a warm home for him until the end.

Everyone who knew Tom would attest to his kind and gentle spirit and his passion to help whomever needed it. He was a faithful Christian and a steadfast Lutheran having attended St. John Lutheran Church in Fort Wayne as a member and graduate of the grade school, and later served as President of the congregation for many years.

He graduated from Concordia Lutheran High School in Fort Wayne and Indiana University in Bloomington. He was in ROTC and played basketball at Concordia and graduated with a degree in Business from IU, where he was a member of Kappa Delta Rho fraternity. After graduating Tom served in the military following the Korean War. He was stationed in Tokyo and served as a close assistant to a Colonel.

After his father’s passing, Tom took over his portion of the family business, Fortmeyers Tire Center and Fortmeyers Truck Stop on the northeast side of Fort Wayne. Tom retired from Fortmeyers when it was sold in the early 1990s.

His work for his church and business was important to Tom, but he was dedicated to his family first. He married Jerry Kierspe Erwin in 1968. Jerry’s first husband, Donald Erwin, passed way in an accident a few years before, and she had five children from toddler to pre-teen. Tom and Jerry then had two more daughters shortly after, and their large family has remained close to this day. Tom provided for the whole family and encouraged each of the children to stay active and involved and pursue their various ambitions, careers and hobbies. But their times skating with Tom at Lakeside Park and the countless weekends at Pleasant Lake are precious memories to each of them.

Tom was born in 1934 to George and Lucille Schoenherr. He is survived by his sister, Carol Wick, his daughters Susie Schoenherr Groeling (Ft. Wayne, IN) and Becky Schoenherr Germann (Fishers, IN) and his five step-children: Dori Erwin Collins (Batavia, IL), Joel Erwin (Fort Wayne), Dennis Erwin (Carmel, IN), Jim Erwin (Bronson, MI), and Angie Erwin Smith (Holland, MI). With 27 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren, family holidays and events at the Lake are always joyous reunions. Every member of this large family will miss Tom dearly.

The family is especially grateful to their brother Jim, his wife Kim and their family for providing love and amazing care for Dad in his later years.

Services will be held at St. John Lutheran Church, 729 W Washington St. in Fort Wayne, IN on December 9th. Visitation is at 10:00 AM with a service at 11:00 AM. Burial will be at St. John Lutheran Cemetery on Engle Road immediately after.

You may remember Tom by making a donation to St. John Lutheran Church or Lutheran Outdoor Ministries.