John R. Schone

John Rudolph Schone heard his Master Jesus Christ welcome him into glory on Saturday, July 1st, 2023 with these words:

“Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.” (Matthew 25:21)

John was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota on October 12, 1923 to Rudolph and Pauline Schone 

John served in the United States Navy during WW II as a Navy Battleship Tender Instructing Sonar for submarine warfare in the South Pacific. While serving John met and married Lucia Ann Hatch on August 20, 1945. Following his honorable discharge from the Navy on January 24, 1946, John and Lucia prepared for full-time missionary work and joined The Evangelical Alliance Mission, known as TEAM, in 1950 and served faithfully in Japan and the United States until 1994.

While in Japan, John was mostly involved in Christian camping, and he founded and directed Matsubarako Bible Camp for 25 years. He was also the administrative coordinator of the Karuizawa Christian Center. For several years, John was the advisor for Christian Camping International in East Asia. In addition to these responsibilities, John was a coordinator for English Teacher's Seminars, and he taught English at Nagano College of Technology. 

When they retired in 1989, John and Lucia made their home in Eau Claire, WI. John served as a TEAM rep for five years and visited churches and schools in Wisconsin and Minnesota to present TEAM ministries. He sought to further the cause of worldwide missions as he met with pastors and church mission committees. He also set up mission conferences and helped churches improve their mission programs.

During those years John became involved in prison ministry and developed an after-care program for inmates who were being released back into society. John took a personal interest in the life of every inmate assigned to him and worked diligently through personal mentoring and letter writing to provide them an opportunity for new life through faith in Jesus Christ. John’s ministry touched hundreds of lives across the country. He continued his letter writing ministry to inmates even in the last few months of his life.

John was a faithful servant who had a passion for Jesus Christ and loved sharing God's Word with people. To God be the glory for the great things He did through our dear brother John!

John is survived by his wife, Lucia, and their son: David (Cynthia), as well as grandchildren and great grandchildren.

All memorial gifts are to be directed to Calvary Baptist Church in Eau Claire, WI, and designated to the mission of Calvary India.

A Memorial service will be held at Calvary Baptist Church in Eau Claire on Wednesday, July 19th, at 1:00 PM, and everyone is welcome to attend.

Friends and family may offer condolences online at www.hulkefamilyfh.com.

Hulke Family Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 3209 Rudolph Road, Eau Claire, WI 54701 is assisting the family with the arrangements.  

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.