John "Jack" B. Schernekau

John B. “Jack” Schernekau, 90, of Evansville, IN passed away on May 22, 2025, at Deaconess Gateway Hospital. He was born on December 27, 1934, in Olney, Illinois to the late John G. and L. Virginia (Walser) Schernekau of West Salem, Illinois.

Jack's educational journey began in West Salem, where he attended school, completing his senior year and graduating from Edwards County Senior High School in Albion, Illinois in 1953. He pursued higher education at Evansville College (University of Evansville), earning a Bachelor of Music Education degree in 1957, with the cornet as his principal instrument. In 1958, he obtained a Master of Music Education from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

On June 11, 1961, Jack married Marilyn Mae Heilman in Millersburg, Indiana. After Marilyn's passing in 1979, he later married Katherine (Midle) Hughes Burch on July 23, 2005, in Evansville, Indiana.

Jack began his teaching career in 1958 as the Band and Choral Music Instructor at Rockport High School and the Instrumental Music Teacher at Rockport/Ohio Township Grade Schools. In 1965, he became the Band Director at Castle High School in Newburgh, Indiana, a position he held until 1985. He later served as the Band Director at Castle Junior High School and its feeder elementary schools until his retirement in 1994. Throughout his career, Jack also provided private instrumental music instruction to numerous students in Vanderburgh and Warrick counties. After retiring from full-time teaching, he worked part-time for H & H Music Service in Evansville, supporting school music programs across southern Indiana. He also served as an adjudicator for the Indiana State School Music Association (ISSMA) large group band competitions.

Jack was an elected member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Honorary Music Fraternity and the American School Band Directors Association. He also belonged to the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) and the Indiana Music Teachers Association (IMTA). He served on the University of Evansville National Alumni Association Board of Directors from 1982 to 1983 and volunteered his time supporting the Evansville Symphonic Band program.

Jack’s influence on his students and community was profound. He believed that music education was a valuable gift, one that could inspire future musicians, educators, and supporters of the arts. His classroom was a place of encouragement, where student teachers were welcomed and students discovered the joy of music. His true goal, however, was to foster lifelong appreciators of music at every level.

His commitment to music extended to his church affiliations. He was a current member of Old North United Methodist Church in Evansville, where he enjoyed singing in the choir and once served as choir director. He was a former member of St. James United Methodist Church in Evansville where he and his first wife, Marilyn, co-directed All God’s Children , the young adult choir which traveled and performed in churches throughout the tri-state area. He attended Oak Hill Presbyterian Church and later joined, Newburgh United Methodist Church and Trinity United Methodist Church, regularly serving in their choir ministries. In retirement, Jack traveled throughout Europe with the Indianapolis North United Methodist Church Christian Chorale, combining his love of travel and music.

Beyond his teaching career, Jack had a passion for history and travel. He combined these interests by organizing tours through Tri-State Travelogue Tours. In 1983, inspired by a visit to the Bagel and Deli Shop in Oxford, Ohio, he opened The Bagel Basket in Eastland Mall in Evansville, bringing a taste of their steamed and toasted bagel sandwiches to the community.

Jack was also involved in various social organizations, including the Four Seasons Social Club and The Kennel Club. He volunteered with Honor Flights of Southern Indiana and enjoyed regular gatherings with the Castle High School Retired Teachers and his beloved ROMEO group (Retired Old Men Eating Out). He and his wife, Kathy, enjoyed traveling, visiting wineries, supporting the Evansville Symphonic Band and Evansville Philharmonic performances, spending time with friends and family, and attending their grandchildren’s activities.

Jack was preceded in death by his first wife, Marilyn Schernekau (1979), and his parents, John G. Schernekau (1980) and L. Virginia Schernekau (1994).

He is survived by his wife, Katherine Schernekau; daughter Gretchen (Steve) Stokey of New Philadelphia, Ohio; daughter Lori (Scott) Reitano of Indianapolis; and stepson Jimmy Hughes of Evansville, Indiana. He is also survived by his grandchildren: Ellen Stokey, Emma (Mason) Pipes, Mitchell Stokey, and Marilyn Stokey, all of New Philadelphia, Ohio; Brandon Erickson of Los Angeles, California; Mary Rose Reitano of Indianapolis, Indiana; Vincent Hughes, Leonard Hughes, Robert Hughes, and Benjamin Hughes of Evansville, Indiana; and Teaira (Jeremy) LaGrone of Evansville, Indiana. Additionally, he leaves behind two great-grandchildren and his grand-dogs, Auggie and Grady.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in the honor of Jack Schernkau, to The Evansville Symphonic Band, https://www.evansvillesymphonicband.com/donate or to Old North United Methodist Church Endowment Fund, 4201 Stringtown Rd, Evansville, IN 47711.

A Funeral Service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, June 9, 2025, at Old North United Methodist Church, 4201 Stringtown Rd, Evansville, IN 47711, with Pastor Gary Schaar officiating. The Funeral Service will be livestreamed at www.twitch.tv/oldnorthumc. Visitation will be from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 8, 2025, at Alexander Funeral Home North Chapel, 4200 Stringtown Rd, Evansville, IN 47711 and from 9:00 a.m. to service time on Monday at the church. Burial will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery.

Condolences may be made online at www.AlexanderNorthChapel.com.