John Michael Schonebaum, 99, Naper, NE. was born Oct. 13, 1910 NW of Witten, SD in rural Tripp Co., the only child of Paul and Ella (Denker) Schonebaum. He was baptized Aug. 12, 1922 in Herrick, SD. He graduated from St. Charles, SD High School in 1930.
He married Vera Zeitner on May 26, 1935 at St. Pauls Lutheran Church in Naper, NE. They had 4 children: Virginia, Marjo, Ronald, and Daniel.
John was a musician, farmer, business manager, Village Treasurer and Clerk, Radio announcer, and School Board member and Secretary during his 99 years.
John played in 3 bands primarily between 1928 and 1946The Five Stars, Rhythm Ramblers and the Brotzke Band. He played trumpet, violin, accordion, & saxophone.
John farmed South of St. Charles, SD until 1946 when the family moved to Naper, NE, where he managed the Wm. Krotter Co. until 1983. He was the Naper Village Clerk from 1946-1992 & Treasurer from 1980-2001. John also served on the Naper School Board from 1948 to 1962 and was Secretary of the board until 1987. From 1963 until September 2006 John gave a short weekly news report as the Voice of Naper on Radio KBRX of ONeill. The day after his last broadcast John moved to the Butte Healthcare Center. John was a long-time member of St. Pauls Ev. Lutheran Church in Naper, NE and served in many volunteer activities there.
John is survived by all four children: 2 daughters: Virginia and husband Wayne Ahlers, ONeill, NE. and Marjo Segars, Trinity, Alabama; 2 sons: Ronald and wife Barbara Schonebaum, Henderson, Nevada and Daniel Schonebaum, Hartselle, Alabama; 12 Grandchildren: Steve Ahlers, Bettendorf, IA.; Mari Ortmeier, Norfolk, NE.; Rich Ahlers, Chappell Hill, TX.; Carol Roth, Spring, TX.; Dan Ahlers, Naper, NE; Lisa Reiman, Butte, NE.; Jeff Segars, Little Rock, AK.; Michael Schonebaum, Parker, CO; Mark Schonebaum, Henderson, NV.; Merle Schonebaum, Englewood, CO.; Robin Cutts, Pelham, AL.; and Barry Schonebaum, Hartselle, AL; 28 Great-Grandchildren: Tim Ahlers, Ryan Ahlers, Laura Peitz, Nick Ortmeier, Greg Ortmeier, Annie Ortmeier, Suzi Ortmeier, Katelyn Roth, Sarah Roth, Luke Roth, Macy Ahlers, Blake Ahlers, Brooke Reiman, Dylan Reiman, Evan Reiman, Brittney Segars, Allison Segars, Anna Segars, Calvin Schonebaum, Adam Schonebaum, Gabriel Schonebaum and Adriana Schonebaum, Eric Schonebaum, Kayla Schonebaum, Brianna Schonebaum, Melissa Schonebaum, Anna Schonebaum and Abby Schonebaum; 8 Step-Great-Grandchildren: Michael, Matthew, Maria, Julie, Lance, Cynthia, Jason, & Logan; 5 Great-Great Grandchildren: Jeffrey Blake Segars, Landon Ortmeier, Cody Ortmeier, Graham Ahlers and Gavin Peitz and many other friends and family.

John was preceded in death by his parents Paul & Ella, wife Vera, son-in-law Ferrell Segars & daughter-in-law Barbara (Lumsden) Schonebaum.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, March 13, 2010 at 11:00 AM at St. Pauls Lutheran Church in Naper. Burial will in the St. Pauls Lutheran Cemetery, Naper. Visitation will be one hour prior to the services at the church.