Memorial service for John Schonberg will be at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, July 14, 2011 at the First Presbyterian Church in Gillette, WY with Pastor Shayla Graham officiating.

John G. Schonberg, age 70, passed away peacefully with a smile on his face, Thursday, July 7, 2011 in Billings, MT. He was best known as “Papa John” as well as “Nice John” at his favorite café.

John was born on June 17, 1941 the son of Iver and Stella Schonberg in Sheridan, Wyoming. Brother of Mary Kay Schonberg (Swartz.) He was raised and graduated high school in Sheridan where he worked and loved his job at The Sheridan Press.

He married Carrien Price and later had a child, Sheila Price-Croston April 15, 1964. They were divorced soon after and he moved out to Coos Bay, Oregon. He had a friend out there that encouraged him to come out to the coast. His occupation while out on the coast was also at the local newspaper.

He stayed out there only for a couple years and returned back to the Press in Sheridan where he met Bonnie Haglund (Rubesh.) They married August 18, 1973 and later moved to Gillette, Wyoming where he got a job as a Truck Driver for Halliburton until 1976, he found the job that he retired from. He worked as an amazing Heavy Equipment Operator for Amax Coal Company, he loved operating the D9 dozer as well as Haul Trucks. He retired from Foundation Coal (Amax) in 1998.

After retirement, he worked for Pinkerton as a Security Guard until 2002.

John and Bonnie were members of the Thunder Basin Corvette Club which occupied most of their time attending Rally’s, Races, and Car Shows. He was into Auto Crossing, while Bonnie did the Drag Racing, (no wonder the children like to drive fast.) He was also very passionate about creating Scavenger Hunts for the club. He was a member of the Gillette Evening Rotary Club and belonged to the Moose & Eagles Lodge as well.

John and Bonnie had their first child September 3, 1979, Robyn Lynn Schonberg and a son shortly after January 9, 1985, Travis John Schonberg. The couple were divorced in 1988. Robyn and Travis were the light of his life, he was dedicated to being a father and being there for his children for whatever needs they had. He made sure to take them on vacation every chance he got which included going to see all of his cousins in Council Bluffs, Iowa for family reunions. Driving to Las Vegas, Nevada and California. There were several trips to Louisiana to see his daughter Sheila and her family as well as visiting his sister, Mary Kay and her family in Washington. The trips were always very entertaining and a huge part of their lives.

Sheila has three children and Robyn has a son, which then turned him into a dedicated “Papa.” He was very proud of his children and grandchildren as well. He loved to attend church, go to lunch and dinner with them as often as possible.

John is known for his love of cars in general but more specifically the Corvette. He owned every car from a Cutlass Supreme, GTO, Impalas, Camaros, Cadillacs, Buicks, Corvettes, Pickups, you name it, he owned one “once upon a time.” And each one, he took good care of.

Another passion of his was to make everybody around him smile and laugh. He was known as “Nice John” at his favorite place to go for coffee and lunch with the kids, The Lariat Café. He will always be remembered as being “goofy” and enjoying the day as simple as it may be consisting of waking up, reading all of his newspapers on-line, going to have coffee and coming home in the afternoon to check, respond and send emails. His last days were spent laughing with his family and entertaining with his special sense of humor which will be carried out in his children every day from here on out. So when you’re asked, “how are you doing today, just tell em, I’m Nice!” That’s what he would say!

John is survived by his children, Robyn and Travis Schonberg, Sheila Price-Croston of Florida, his sister Mary Kay Swartz of Washington. His grandchildren, Logan Tiedemann, Tarah DeShong, Jennifer DeShong, and Gannon DeShong. His nieces and nephews, Krista Moreshead of Colorado and Kurt Swartz of Washington, her children Rylie and Tannon Moreshead and his child Hunter Swartz.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Iver and Stella Schonberg.

Memorials and condolences may be sent John's name to Walker Funeral Home 410 Medical Arts Court, Gillette, WY 82716.

Condolences may also be sent via the website to www.walkerfuneralgillette.com.

The Sheridan Press - July 13, 2011.