John T. Schahn

February 8, 1934

February 15, 2014

John T. Schahn, 80, of Salado, passed away February 15. 2014 from congestive heart failure. 

Services were held Feb. 19 at St. Francis Episcopal Church, Temple.  Fr. Brad St. Romain and Pastor Carl Thompson co-officiated. Visitation was held  at the Salado Presbyterian Church.

Schahn was born to Carl Schahn, Sr. and Elizabeth McDonald Schahn, February 8, 1934 in Orange, Texas.

He graduated from Beaumont High in 1952 and got his degree from Lamar College in 1956.  Shortly after graduation, John enlisted in the Army and spent two years serving his country during which time he met Jerry Schleicher and the two men became lifelong friends and business partners.

In 1960, John became the Music Director for Marsha Zumo, the head of the Texas Miss America Pageant.  They went to the national finals in New Jersey where John was the organist for Bert Parks, host of the Miss America Beauty Pageant.

John moved to California and worked for the Palm Stationers, the largest stationers in California, as purchasing agent for the company for 30+ years.  

Because of his love for the piano and organ, John worked with Colton Piano and Organ Co., introducing their Guilbranson organ.  It was during this time he was an accompanist for Della Reese’s concerts in Anaheim, CA.

John and Jerry Schleicher started the Rocshann’s House of Weddings; a business they grew to to include five chapels, organizing over 10,000 weddings in 13 years.  Their largest chapel, the Church of Reflection was located on the Knott’s Berry Farm property.  They eventually moved their largest enterprise under the Knott’s Berry Farm corporate umbrella.  John was the organist for Knott’s Berry Farms for more than 30 years.

The men returned to Texas, settling in Salado in July, 2006 on John’s sisters’ ranch.

John has been the head organist at St. Francis Church for four years in addition to helping other churches with their music ministry.  He frequently played at the Christmas pageant, summer gatherings, private home parties and funerals throughout the community.  He performed a concert for the new organ at the Salado Presbyterian Church and a concert for the pipe organ at St. Francis Episcopal Church.

John is preceded in death by his parents.  He is survived by his brother Carl, Jr. and wife Bernice, Pineville, LA; sister Mable O’Neal, Salado and many nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Francis Episcopal Church in Temple. Designate the Scholarship Fund for Musical Interns on the memo line. 

Services are in the care of Broecker Funeral Home, Salado.