06/28/2024

Obituary for John "Jay" Schoedinger

Father of Randy Schoedinger, Brother of OFDA Past President David Schoedinger, & Uncle of Michael Schoedinger, Immed. Past President & Kevin Schoedinger, all of Schoedinger Funeral & Cremation Service

John “Jay” Albert Schoedinger, age 83, passed away on June 26, 2024, after suffering a stroke a few weeks prior. He had his wife, Joyce, by his side holding his hand. He was born in Columbus, OH on July 29, 1940 to John F and Juliet Schoedinger.

Jay graduated from The Columbus Academy in 1958, attended The Ohio State University where he was a proud member of Phi Delta Theta Fraternity, and graduated from the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science in 1963. He then began his career at Schoedinger Funeral and Cremation Service. Jay, always the pack rat, kept his first paycheck and it was $4. Jay, alongside his father, John; uncle, Robert, and brother, David, grew the family business into one of the most respected funeral service businesses in the United States. Today, that business is still led by the 6th generation of his son, Randy and nephews, Michael and Kevin.

Jay was a true servant leader serving on numerous charitable and civic boards. He was a current member and past President of Columbus Kiwanis Club, past President/Chairman of Columbus Day, Upper Arlington Bicentennial Parade Committee, and Soap Box Derby. He served on the Boards of Creative Living and Rosemont School for Girls and volunteered annually for Charity Newsies.

He was a member of Scioto Country Club, The City Club where he was a past President, The Athletic Club of Columbus; and a former member of The Young Business Men’s Club (YBMC), The University Club, and the Lakes Golf and Country Club.

Jay, with always a joke ready to tell, made friends easily wherever he went. To walk through downtown Columbus with him was never a quick affair, as he always stopped, talked and told a joke to many friends. He had a way about him that made him comfortable in all circles, relatable to all.

One of his great passions was collecting antique toys. He was a proud member of the Antique Toy Collectors of America and even hosted, at his home, their annual convention in Columbus in 2007 where everyone could witness his impressive collection. He and Joyce moved to a retirement apartment in 2021 and Jay made sure he had shelves installed to display some of his favorite collectible toys, most notably, fire trucks.

He loved traveling throughout the United States. To see the friends he made by leading Columbus Day festivities, he visited every Columbus city in the United States. He took his family on two summer camping trips to every state west of the Mississippi, except for Hawaii and Alaska, riding in a wood paneled station wagon, pulling a Coleman pop up tent trailer – a true Chevy Chase family vacation adventure.

He was a proud founder of OMNI, which was a group of funeral professionals from around the country. These members became some of his best friends. He traveled often to be a part of the important milestones for each member.

He married his college sweetheart, Joyce Rogers on June 22, 1963. Together they raised a beautiful family and they made sure to get together for big family reunions at the Tumbling River Ranch in Colorado. Each family member still remembers the great times at the ranch in the mountains of Colorado.

Jay is survived by his wife of 61 years, Joyce Rogers Schoedinger; 3 children and their families: Laurie (Gardiner) Porter and their children, Julia Porter and her fiancé Jake Schell and Austin (Jessica) Porter; John “Randy” (Marcy) Schoedinger and their children, Vella, Lydia, and Eva; Scott (Lisa) Schoedinger and their children, Rachel, Philip, and Caroline “CJ;” brothers; David (Jeanne) Schoedinger and Steven Schoedinger; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

The family will receive friends on Sunday July 7, 2024 from 1 – 5 PM at SCHOEDINGER NORTHWEST, 1740 Zollinger Rd. Columbus, OH 43221. Funeral service will be on Monday July 8, 2024 at 11 AM at Broad Street Presbyterian Church, 760 E Broad St. Columbus, OH 43205. Interment at Green Lawn Cemetery. Pastor Mark Dettmer officiating. The family would like to thank the wonderful help received by Ohio Health Hospice and Compassionate Caregivers.

Jay was a true animal lover and had more pets during his life than we can recall. In honor of his love for animals, friends may make contributions to Columbus Humane at www.columbushumane.org or 3015 Scioto Darby Executive Ct, Hilliard, OH 43026.