John D. Schell, 83, of Earlville, passed away Monday, January 15, 2018 at the NYS Veterans Home in Oxford.

He was born October 6, 1943 in Theresa, NY, a son of John and Myrtle Dingman Schell.

John received his Associate Degree in dairy technology from Canton Agricultural and Technical Institute. On August 11, 1957, John married Nancy Dennen in Sacketts Harbor, NY. John was a veteran of the U. S. Army, having served as a cryptographer from 1957 to 1959.

Prior to being drafted, John had been a milk tester for Dairymen’s League in Vernon, NY and following his discharge from active duty, returned to work at Dairymen’s League.

By the mid-1960s he went on to be a partner in Best Brands Beverage of Hamilton until 1994 when he joined McCraith Beverage in Utica. He retired in 2001.

John was an avid fan of Colgate University basketball and a member of the “Sunshine Boys”, a term coined by Coach Bruen. The group traveled with the team attending their games, tournaments and banquets.

He adored his grandchildren and faithfully attended their sports activities.

John enjoyed taking his ’41 Chevy and ’53 Buick to antique car shows and was a fan of the NY Yankees and the NYGiants. Beyond the winter months John was regularly seen mowing his acres of lawn at home and as the main hay raker on his son John’s farm.

Family and friends of John fondly described him as a man of few words, great strength and reserve.

John was a member of the Episcopal Church of the Epiphany in Sherburne.

He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Nancy; his children, John (Suzette) Schell of Poolville; Catherine Schell of Earlville; Bobby (fiancee Nina Cartwright) Schell of Earlville; grandchildren Gair (Elena Skripka) Wissenbach of Brooklyn, NY; Paige (Shaun) Evans of Waterville; John (fiancee Mary Ellen Brockett) Schell of Poolville; and Jenna Schell of Poolville; a sister and brother-in-law, Marilyn and Steve Reed of Lake Gaston, NC; two brothers and a sister-in-law, Jerry and Paula Schell of Watertown; and Robert Schell of Newport, NY; three great-grandchildren, Trent, Flora and Fiona Evans of Waterville; many nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was predeceased by two sisters, Elizabeth Magna and Janice Farnham; and son-in-law, Joseph Wissenbach.

Memorial Services will held at the Episcopal Church of the Epiphany, Classic St., Sherburne Saturday, May 19, 2018 at 11 a.m. Interment will be in the Earlville Cemetery with military honors. There are no calling hours.

Contributions in his memory may be made to the Church of the Epiphany or the Earlville Fire Department.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Burgess & Tedesco Funeral Home, 3 Preston St., Earlville, NY

To send a condolence and sign the Book of Memories online go to www.burgessandtedescofuneralhomes.com