John Thomas Schachle, longtime Beggs resident, died Tuesday afternoon, February 27, 2007 at his home. He was 82 years of age. Mr. Schachle was born November 12, 1924 in Canute, Oklahoma to John Thomas Schachle, Sr. and Teresa Marie (Simon) Schachle. He served in the United States Army during World War II from 1943 to 1946, serving in New Guinea, Philippines and Japan. He married Irene Hoffman on January 14, 1947 at the St. Francis Church in Canute. He attended Mortuary School in Dallas, Texas and in 1952 moved his family to Beggs where he owned and operated the Schachle Funeral Home until 1962. He then went to work for McDonnell Douglas from 1964 until retiring in 1982. He served on the Beggs School Board, Beggs Planning and Zoning Board and the EMSA Ambulance Board. He was a member of the VFW Post 3654 of Beggs and attended St. Clement Catholic Church. Mr. Schachle had remained a licensed funeral director and embalmer throughout his life.

He was preceded in death by his parents and four siblings, Cathy Wilhelm, Mary Hodgson, Charles Schachle and Jamie Schachle. Survivors include his wife of 60 years, Irene, of the home, two children, Carolyn Taylor and husband Ed of Beggs and David Schachle and wife Linda of Jay, four grandchildren, Keith Taylor and wife Christy of Amarillo, Texas, Amber Brafford and husband Daniel of Tulsa, Michelle Camacho and husband David of Beggs and Lance Schachle of Stillwater, eight great grandchildren, Becca, Frankie and Klaire Taylor, Lewis, Matthew and Daillee Camacho, Morgan Sims and Kaitlyn Brafford and three siblings, Roberta Schachle of Piedmont, Oklahoma, Patrick J. Schachle of Elk City, Oklahoma and Teresa Ryan of Universal City, Texas.

The Rosary will be recited at 5:00 P.M. Friday evening, March 2, 2007 at the McClendon-Winters Funeral Home of Beggs and the family will receive friends following from 5:30 until 7:00 P.M. A reception in Mr. Schachle’s honor will be held at 7:00 P.M. Friday evening at the American Legion Hut. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 A.M. Saturday, March 3, 2007 at the St. Clement Catholic Church in Bixby with Father Josh Litwack officiating. Interment will be at 4:00 P.M. at the St. Francis Cemetery in Canute, Oklahoma with Father Janocha officiating. Pallbearers will be Keith Taylor, Lance Schachle, David Camacho, Daniel Brafford, Ricky Mitchell and Chris Ryan, Honorary Pallbearers will be Howard Phillips, Junior Mitchell and Ed Ross. Arrangements are under the direction of the McClendon-Winters Funeral Home of Beggs. Condolences may be sent at www.mcclendon-winters.com