John Edward Schupp, Jr.

John “Jack” Schupp, Jr., was born February 17, 1942, to John Schupp, Sr., and Margaret (Wilson) Schupp.  Often called “Jackie” by his mother and wife, he was born on the Southeast side of Chicago, IL, where he grew up, graduated from Illinois Institute of Technology with an architectural degree, met and married his wife Karen, and started his family and his career.

Jack worked many odd jobs as a young teenager to help support his family and pay for his schooling.  At one job, as a pin setter at a bowling alley at the age of 15, he met Karen.  Karen was bowling with friends and she wasn’t very good at it yet.  Every time her turn came up, Jack set the pins in the gutter for her.  Karen of course wanted to know who the wise guy was, and that story became their love story that lasted 47 years until Karen passed away in 2004.  Jack, of course, was by her side until the very end and missed her terribly over the past 20 years.

Jack was an architect for Olivieri Brothers Construction, a firm responsible for much of the development on the South Side, East Side and Southeast Side of Chicago.  Karen began her career as a teacher with Chicago Public Schools, but they soon started a family and Karen stayed at home at 106th and Avenue C with their two children until they moved to Lowell, IN, in 1972.  Jack continued to commute to Chicago, working with Olivieri Brothers until the mid-1980’s, when he went into business with a friend and colleague before retiring in the late 1990’s.

In Lowell, Jack continued to use his architectural skills, drawing the house plans for his daughter’s and son’s houses, and then continuing to provide house plans to the Wedding brother, home builders in Northwest Indiana.

Jack was an avid stamp collector, amassing thousands of stamps over the years, which he sold privately for many years to other collectors as a hobby.  He always told Karen that the stamps would pay for their retirement.  Sadly, Karen passed before she retired as a Northwest Indiana Realtor and before he could prove the value of the stamps to her.

In 2013, Jack moved to Sedona, AZ, where the community of the Village of Oak Creek embraced him.  He had some major health issues in 2013, but with the support of his new community he thrived.  He walked the Village sidewalks in his cowboy boots and hat, visiting the “bakery” (Desert Flour,) the “café” (Red Rock Café,) Miley’s and the grocery store and post office regularly.  He made many, many friends, who he enjoyed spending time with.  Whether people in the community knew him as “John”, “Jack” or “Grandpa”, he was a recognized personality.

Jack passed away at the age of 82, after complications from a broken arm and a brief illness.  He was home in his condo in the VOC, and was surrounded by friends, family and tender loving care during his final days.  He is at peace now, again with Karen playing cards, gardening, visiting casinos, and maybe even bowling.

Jack is survived by his children Bridget O’Neill (Tim) and John Schupp, III; Grandchildren Andrew Schupp (Brittany), Taylor Schupp, Courtney O’Reilly (Brian); Great-Granddaughters Aubrey, Alyse, Addyson, Payton, Raelynn, Gotham and Audrey.  He is also survived by his sisters Margaret (Peggy) Massucci, Mary Parsley (Jerry) and his brother William Schupp (Pat); many nephews, great-nephews and great-nieces, and cousins.

Jack was preceded in death by his parents and his beloved wife, Karen.

A Celebration of Life will be held 4 – 6pm Tuesday, September 24, 2024, at Bueler Funeral Home, 143 W. Arnold Street, Camp Verde, Arizona 86322.   

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Sedona Community Center.

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