Editor's Note: Long-time Chadron area resident and friend John Schleicher has passed away; below is his obituary and funeral information as found on CHADRAD.COM
John Schleicher (1942-2026)
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John Wright Schleicher was born on April 11, 1942 in Natick, Massachusetts, to Ervin and Constance (Somers) Schleicher. John passed away on January 22, 2026 at Pioneer Manor in Hay Springs at the age of 83.
He married Jeannie Lynn in 1965. To this union, three children were born: Christopher, Candis, and Charles. They divorced in 1980. He married Ruth Fraser in 1981 and divorced in 1987. He gained three stepchildren (Adonna, Bannon, and Shauna). John married Mary Ann Rossman in 1988 and gained four stepchildren (Curtis, Melanie, Clinton, and Christopher).
John served in the National Guard from 1964 to 1970. He worked for Daniels Trucking, farmed north of Whitney, and was then employed by the C&NW railroad. John moved to LaPort, IN in 1967. He worked for New York Blower, Benedix, and Southbend Freight. He moved back to Chadron in 1978 and farmed for DeHaven's, then went to work again for the C&NW until 1990.
In1991, John was a self-employed semi driver. He retired in 2004. John belonged to the HWY 20 Antique Tractor Club for 26 years and enjoyed working on antique tractors (especially junk ones that nobody else would want), tractor rides, and tractor pulls. He was a loving and kind Dad and Grampy.
John is survived by his wife of 38 years, Mary Ann; three brothers: Robert (Bertie), David (Joyce), and Richard (Nina); his three children: Christopher (Brenda), Candis (Ken) Briggs, Charles (Pam), and six stepchildren: Curtis Rossman (Kris), Melanie Tidyman, Clinton Rossman (Brooke), Christopher Rossman (Lori), Adonna, and Bannon; 17 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren (all of whom received tractor rides).
John was preceded in death by his parents, Ervin and Constance Schleicher and a stepdaughter, Shauna Lyndsey.
A memorial service for John Schleicher will be held at 2:00pm Friday, January 30, 2026 at Chamberlain Chapel in Chadron, Nebraska.
