John H. Schoonover, 76 of Salem, died Monday morning at Salem Township Hospital in Salem. John was born May 25, 1945 in Salem to Henry “Al” Schoonover and Eva (Donoho) Schoonover and his parents preceded him in death. He married Diana (Morrison) Schoonover on May 29, 1965 in Odin and she survives in Salem. In addition to his wife, John is survived by daughter Jill McManus and husband Mike of Centralia; son Chad Schoonover and wife Sheila of Salem and son Tim Schoonover and wife Dawn of Warrensburg, Mo. He also is survived by granddaughters Amanda Schmidt and husband Josh of Centralia and Savannah Robinson and husband Kaleb of Centralia, grandsons Eric Schoonover of Salem, Alex Schoonover of Warrensburg, Mo. and Bryce Schoonover of Warrensburg, Mo. Two great-granddaughters, Ava Schmidt and Anna Schmidt of Centralia and brother-in-law Dr. Stanley Morrison and wife Dianna of Salem. A graduate of Salem High School, John spent 33 years as a conductor on the Union Pacific Railroad until his retirement. But it was how John played – and not his work – that defined his life. He served as a youth baseball coach for more than 20 years in both Odin and Salem In addition to his coaching John played golf until the time of his passing at Colonial Golf Course in the Thursday morning Senior League, and with his wife in the Thursday Evening Couples League and the Sunday Funday Couples League. More than anything, John cherished the time he spent following his grandchildren and their sports careers. He rarely missed a football game or wrestling match involving Eric and could be found on many weekends in his lawn chair watching Ava and Anna play travel softball for the Centralia SuperSonics. No matter the season, he loved sports at all levels and relished in the success of the teams he followed. He made the professional sports he watched even more fun by always being willing to place a friendly wager on the outcome. Along with his membership at Colonial Golf Course in Sandoval, John was a member of the Salem Elks Lodge, the Mt. Vernon Gun and Sportsman Club and the National Bears organization. In addition to his parents, John was preceded in death by two children: son Kevin Scott “Scotty” Schoonover and daughter Kerri Schoonover; half-brothers Jim Smith and Joe Smith and brother-in-law Mike Morrison. Funeral services for John H. Schoonover will be held on Thursday, July 29, 2021 at 1:00 p.m. at Crouse Funeral Home in Salem, with Stanley Morrison officiating. Burial will follow at the Peaceful Valley Cemetery in Odin. There will be a visitation at the funeral home on Thursday from 11:00 a.m. until the time of the service. Memorial contributions can be made to the Leukemia Foundation or the Jimmy V. Cancer Research Organization and can be left at Crouse Funeral Home who is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences can be made at www.CrouseFH.com. To plant Memorial Trees in memory of John H. Schoonover, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.