John (Johnny) R. Schadt, 69

John (Johnny) R. Schadt, 69, of Rathdrum, passed away June 22, 2010, after a brief battle with cancer, a fighter to the end. John was born Jan. 10, 1941, in Wayland, Iowa, to John W. Schadt and Marjorie Peebler.

John enlisted in the Navy when he was 17 years old. After serving his country for four years he lived on the East Coast for awhile before moving to Coeur d’Alene. He worked various construction jobs over the years and was self-employed with his own business as a top-notch mechanic in Post Falls for many years. He often helped people there for free when necessary. John loved anything with a motor and could fix it, build, design and create it.

He loved racing cars, boats, go-carts and flying machines, snowmobiles and everything that moved or had wheels and a motor. Whatever he did he went “all out” and had many hobbies and activities including keeping a gorgeous one-acre yard. John loved animals and did volunteer work with them.

He is survived by his mother, Marjorie Preston Bledsoe of Coeur d’Alene; sisters, Nancy Beck of Coeur d’Alene, Karen Knox of La Quinta, Calif.; several nieces and a nephew.

A memorial to honor and celebrate John’s life will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 17, 2010, at English Funeral Chapel in Coeur d’Alene.

Because of his love and compassion for animals, the family requests that in lieu of flowers donations be given to the Humane Society.