John Joseph Schon
KINGSFORD, MI – John Joseph Schon was received into Heaven on June 8, 2026. He was surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Ontonagon, MI, on March 8, 1955, to Robert and Carolyn (Rogers) Schon, and he had a wonderful childhood growing up next to Lake Superior and his grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins who all lived close by. After graduating from high school, John went to Northern Michigan University where he played two years on the NMU football team and received a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration. He attained his Master’s Degree in Public Administration from the University of Michigan while working as Manager of Cost Reporting and Budget for Flint Osteopathic Hospital/Beecher Ballenger Health Systems.
John met the love of his life, Myrna Loy from Millington, MI, and they were married on July 19, 1980. They resided in Lapeer, MI, for the next five years, and their daughter Heather and son Brandon were born there. In 1985 they moved to Kingsford, MI, when he was offered the position of Chief Financial Officer at Dickinson County General Hospital. Their youngest daughter, Heidi, was born and their family was complete. He became the CEO/Administrator in 1988, and in his 30 years as CEO, he was most proud of the fact that they were able to build a new state of the art hospital, and he and his team were able to build and recruit a medical staff of 80 physicians and tripled the number to over 700 full time employees. This enabled them to offer exemplary healthcare services to Dickinson County. During his time at Dickinson County Healthcare Systems, John built friendships in the healthcare field all over the country.
John has been a member of St. Mary Queen of Peace Church for 37 years. His was a strong, steady faith. He prayed for his children and grandchildren every day. He was nominated and held a position on the Michigan Hospital Board for six years. He has been on the First National Bank of Iron Mountain Board of Trustees for ten years and had just finished his term as board chairman..John also loved participating in sports. He was a member of the Pine Grove Country Club for 40 years and won the Senior Club Championship in 2013. He was also thrilled to be invited and played in the Phoenix Open/Waste Management Pro-Am Tournament 4 years in a row, from 2013-2017. More than anything he loved the camaraderie of playing golf with his brother, his son, and all of his great friends. John was a Yooper through and through, and he loved riding or walking the trails, bird-hunting, and hanging out at camp with his family and friends. He especially loved being in the outdoors with his grandchildren. John made it happen when it came to family trips and family reunions. From the Black Hills of South Dakota to Washington DC, and everywhere in between where he took his children and grandchildren, we had wonderful family trips. He loved watching his children and grandchildren play in sports and participate in musical events, and he never missed a chance to throw the football, play ping pong, or play music on the deck for his family while he grilled the perfect steaks. John will forever be remembered for his great sense of humor, for his amazing ability to make you feel like his best friend, and for being the best dad, best Papa, and greatest husband.
John is survived by his loving wife of almost 46 years, Myrna; his children, Heather (Henry) Sacotte of Iron Mountain, Brandon (Jennifer) Schon of Marquette, and Heidi (Nick) Fleishans of Grand Rapids; his brother, Kenneth (Laurie) Schon of Ishpeming; his sister, Susan (Tom) Pestka of Ontonagon; three brothers-in-law, Ran (Joyce) Loy of New Mexico, Kevin (Judy) Loy of Texas, and Byron (Angie) Loy of Missouri; three sisters-in-law, Carol Morgan of Texas, Gerri Bradsher of Texas, and Linda (Victor) Schiro, of Spring Arbor, MI; 4 grandchildren, James Cain of Marquette, Nolan and Cameron Schon, and Jillian Sacotte; and many beloved aunts, uncles, cousins and nephews and nieces.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Carolyn Schon; his in-laws, Gene and Lona Loy; a brother-in-law, James P. Bradsher II; 2 nephews, James P. Bradsher III and Kristopher Morgan; and a niece, Samantha Schon.
The family would like to thank the phenomenal surgical and nursing staff at St. Vincent Hospital for their compassionate care.
Visitation will be held from 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm on Thursday, June 18th at the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home in Iron Mountain. A Memorial Mass will be at 11:00 am on Friday, June 19th at St. Mary & St. Joseph Catholic Church in Iron Mountain with Fr. Janusz Romanek officiating.
In lieu of flowers, the family plans to set up a scholarship toward a degree in healthcare or healthcare management.
Condolences to the family of John J. Schon may be expressed online at www.ernashfuneralhomes.com.
The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home of Iron Mountain with the arrangements.