James L. Schoenhaar (1959-2022)

SCHOENHAAR, TACK, ANDERSON, EICHHORN

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 8/19/2022 at 14:20:25

James L. Schoenhaar, age 63, of Savanna, IL, passed away in his home on August 15, 2022, after a battle with pancreatic cancer. A funeral mass will be held Thursday, August 18, 2022 at 10:30am at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Savanna. Visitation will be held from 9:30am to 10:30am at Antl Hall at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, prior to the mass. Inurnment will take place in Bischberg, Germany.

Jim was born to Paul and Emily (Tack) Schoenhaar on February 14th, 1959, and raised on the family dairy farm north of Savanna. He attended Savanna schools and graduated from Savanna High School in 1976. Jim farmed with his two brothers and mother until 1988 when the Farm Crisis forced the family to discontinue farming.

On April 16, 1977, Jim married Donalynn Anderson from Hanover, IL. Although the couple divorced on September 3, 1988, they brought four treasures into the world. Their children are Jeremy (Sandra) Schoenhaar, of Windsbach, Germany, Emily Schoenhaar, of Bamberg, Germany, Samantha Schoenhaar, of Savanna, IL, and Jacob (Sally) Schoenhaar, of Clinton, IA.

In 1989, Jim enlisted in the U.S. Army. He served as an Intelligence Analyst with the 72nd Field Artillery Brigade and the 3rd Infantry Division Artillery in Germany for eight years. Jim focused on the Soviet Union (his Cold War Certificate was probably his most treasured award), Russia, and Eastern Europe.

While stationed in Bamberg, Germany, Jim met superwoman Maria Eichhorn. They married on September 3, 1993, and enjoyed a wonderful marriage until Maria’s passing on July 12, 2015. Their union produced the beaming joy of one daughter, China (Felix) Bӧhmike, Schwaebisch-Hall, of Germany, who carries on all of the wonderful characteristics of her mother. In May 1994, Jim’s children from his previous marriage joined the couple in Bamberg, Germany. Maria served as more than a step-mother to the children – she proved to be a friend, guide, counselor, and example.

In 1995/96 Sergeant Schoenhaar deployed to Bosnia and Herzegovina during Operation Joint Endeavor as the Intelligence Liaison to the Turkish Multinational Brigade. In his free time during his seven-year-six-month-and-19-day enlistment (he never really kept track of time!), SGT Schoenhaar earned his Bachelor’s Degree with dual majors in political science and history, from the University of the State of New York Regents College, now Excelsior College, and began his graduate studies with Salve Regina University where he earned a Masters Degree in International Relations.

Although Jim always had a strong intellectual curiosity, his university studies catalyzed an even stronger desire to learn. He always gave credit for his academic success to Savanna schools’ outstanding program and dedicated teachers. His profession raised his awareness of the importance of critical thinking and the imperative to examine facts, evidence, and information according to credibility, reliability, and verifiability.

Faced with adversity at many points in his life, he never gave up. Some of his children would say that he did not know how to quit.

He developed an unbridled affinity for empathy, honesty, honor, and most importantly, integrity, which he claimed encompassed all positive character traits of humanity. The paramount of importance to Jim was his family, of which he is very proud.

In November 1996, Jim left active duty, and became a Department of the Army Civilian the following year. He Served with the US Army Intelligence and Security Command, 66th Military Intelligence Brigade in Darmstadt, Germany, for over 10 years as a Senior Intelligence Analyst/Branch Chief for Russia and Eastern Europe. A major focus was the Balkans during the continuation of Operation Joint Endeavor and the Kosovo Conflict, but Russia was always a central theme. Jim was also responsible for intelligence exchanges with allied and partner countries in Europe, some elements of Counterterrorism. In 2008 he accepted reassignment to the Defense Intelligence Agency of the U.S. European Command in Stuttgart, Germany as an Intelligence Officer for planning. He continued his focus on Russia.

In June 2016 the Defense Intelligence Agency transferred Jim to the Unites States Transportation Command at Scott Air Force Base in Illinois – less than 300 miles from Jim’s hometown, where in August 2016, lightning struck again for Jim when he reconnected with Julia Maples, with whom he had attended Savanna schools. The couple married on April 28, 2018, and Julie truly fulfilled Jim’s life.

The Defense Intelligence Agency assigned Jim to the Unites States Southern Command at Doral, Florida, in June 2018. In December 2019, Jim accepted reassignment to the United States Africa Command at Stuttgart, Germany, with Jim remaining focused on Russia. Jim and Julia moved to Savanna, IL, for vacation, with the intent of leaving for Germany in March 2020. Following his cancer diagnosis, Jim retired in March 2021 with almost 32 years of federal service. Jim is survived by his wife, Julia; two brothers, Carl (Marianne) Schoenhaar, of Hanover, IL and Richard Schoenhaar, of Savanna, IL; children, Jeremy, Emily, Samantha, Jacob, and China; seven grandchildren, Miranda Benhart, of Cedar Rapids, IA, Mya (DJ) Benhart, of Davenport, IA, Jay Benhart, of Maquoketa, IA, Elisha (Patrick) Schoenhaar, of Windsbach, Germany, Tristan Schoehaar, of Windsbach, Germany, Cheyenne Schoenhaar, of WIndsbach, Germany, and Zachary Atakora, of Bamberg, Germany; three great-grandchildren, Luke Schoenhaar, of Windsbach, Germany, Malakai Ellis, of Cedar Rapids, IA, and Zoey Ambos, of Bamberg, Germany; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins (yes, China, don’t forget the cousins!).

Jim is preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Emily (Tack) Schoenhaar; grandson, Jaden Johnson, and sister-in-law, Kathy Schoenhaar.

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