John Elmer Schultz
Dec. 24, 1927 - March 3, 2017
John Elmer Schultz, 89, of Albany passed away from this earth and went to be with his Lord and Savior on Friday, March 3, 2017.
John was born in Protection, Kansas, to Albert and Karoline (Ratzlaff) Schultz. He graduated from Oklahoma Bible Academy in Meno, Oklahoma, in 1947 and continued his education at Goshen Mennonite College. He served in the Army during the Korean War as a technician from 1950-1952 and completed his service honorably in 1956 after serving for four years in the Army Reserve. On Nov. 23, 1952, he married Dixie Lee McLaughlin in Protection, Kansas.
John accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior at a young age. Church attendance was important to him and he often supported the congregation as a Sunday school teacher and strong proponent of summer Bible school for youth.
John worked as a truck driver for Carnation Milk Company for over 25 years and finished his working career driving for Cummings Transfer in Albany.
John enjoyed raising a few cattle on his small farm in Albany and attending the livestock auction whenever possible. His love of the auction and natural social interaction prompted him to become an amateur auctioneer where he helped many churches, schools, and other Christian organizations raise funds for worthy causes.  In his retirement, he served on many mission trip opportunities with Mennonite Disaster Service in the United States and Mexico and volunteered with the Mercy Ships organization in Jamaica, as well as supporting Drift Creek Mennonite Camp and Western Mennonite School whenever possible. John made friends wherever he went and was always looking for opportunities to help someone in need. He was often called "Johnny the tire man" as he kept a stock of good tires in his shop just for the purpose of putting them on a vehicle for someone that couldn't afford to buy a new set. Just one more way that he was able to share his love for others and to let them know that God loves them too. John enjoyed hunting and camping with his family. When his grandchildren were young, he liked to take them to town for pop and other comfort foods. As they grew older, he enjoyed attending their sporting and music events.
John is survived by wife, Dixie Lee Schultz; children Valerie and husband Ray Schultz-Smucker, Paul and wife Charlene Schultz, and Kerri and husband Hal Schultz-Beamer; grandchildren Karoline Smucker, Trevor Schultz, Kelly Smucker-Showalter, Kylor Schultz, Christopher Smucker, Brooke Schultz, Jonathan Beamer, Michelle Schultz and Molly Beamer; great-grandchildren Ryder Schultz, Wade Schultz and Jonah Showalter. Preceding John in death are siblings Vernon Schultz, Marie Selzer, Elsie Knabe, Eldon Schultz and Wilmer Schultz; daughter Sonya Schultz; and grandson Trenton Schultz.
A visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, March 9, at AAsum-Dufour Funeral Home. A memorial service will at 2 p.m. Sunday, March 19, at Albany Mennonite Church.  Private burial took place at GIlliland Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Western Mennonite School or Drift Creek Mennonite Camp in care of the funeral home.
AAsum-Dufour Funeral Home is handling arrangements (www.aasum-dufour.com ).