Rev
John Fred Schnack was born on 11 February 1889 to Gustav Fred Schnack and Anna
Maria Scharmeryer in Quincy, Illinois. Rev. Schnack's father, being a teacher
understood the value of a good education and so made sure that his son attended 8 years of parochial elementary school.
Rev. Schnack attended high school
and college at Concordia, Milwaukee from 1903 to 1909 and from there began his theological studies at Concordia Seminary
in St. Louis, Missouri from 1909 to 1912.
On 14 July 1912, he was ordained into the holy ministry at St. James Lutheran Church, in Quincy.
Rev. Schnack and Caroline E.
Schwartz (b. 18 August 1893) entered into the estate of holy marriage on 31 August 1913 in Conklin, Michigan. Their marriage was blessed with five
children: Norbert (who died in infancy); Carl John; Evelyn Mae; Marian Katherine; and Aldo Emil.
Rev. Schnack served his entire
ministry here in Illinois beginning at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Burton, Illinois on 21 July 1912. On 11 July 1915 he was
installed as pastor here at Zion, Hampton. While here, he served as a chaplain
at one of the local hospitals.
A call to shepherd the flock
at St. John Lutheran Church in Secor, Illinois (and also St. Paul Lutheran
Church, El
Paso, Illinois) took him from our midst in 1927.
From here, Rev. Schnack concluded his ministry at Trinity Lutheran Church, Edwardsville, Illinois, accepting
their call in late 1950 (Installed 5 November 1950).
Rev. Schnack realized that the
church extended beyond the local congregation and, therefore, was extremely active in the Central Illinois District. He served as a member of the publicity committee from 1929 to 1931, as a visitor for
both the Peoria (1933-1936) and Bloomington
Circuits (1937, 1942-1946) of our district. Rev. Schnack was also secretary
for the Central Illinois District Walther League.
Following his retirement on 1 September 1958, he continued to serve as supply pastor at Trinity, Edwardsville, Illinois.
Rev. Schnack died on 15
April 1962 in Edwardsville and was buried there.
*Zion Lutheran Church, History,
April 15, 2004, http://www.angelfire.com/oh5/zionlcms/
