Jack Allen Schamel, 87, of Kolola Springs, MS passed away Saturday, May 20, 2017, at Baptist Memorial Hospital- GT, Columbus, MS.

A natural born engineer, mechanic, inventor, entrepreneur, and visionary, there wasn't much that Jack Schamel couldn't do. Smart beyond words is how he's been described. He lived his life in service to others through his Christian mission outreach to India, Mexico, and his own community. He was the neighbor that everyone knew they could call when they needed help. He could fix anything. He was the rescuer that came along to help many strangers stranded along the highways as he traveled and to those who stopped by the nursery in need of help.  His home was home to missionaries, troubled teens, and anyone in need. He was a lifelong learner who was always excited and amazed with new technology. He had to know how things "worked". He was open to new ideas and adventures. His most recent undertaking was jigsaw puzzles.

Everyone who came by, from his home health nurse to the gas man was invited to help him with his puzzles because each was "the hardest one he'd ever done".  His job wasn't complete until the puzzle was glued together and pasted on poster board ready to give away.

Jack was a devoted husband and father. He became a caregiver to his beloved wife Myra and her mother, Louise Grant Simpson. His three girls were his pride and joy. But his grandsons Stephen and Phillip were his heart. This "Yankee from Missouri", the apple of his mother's eye came to Mississippi at 17 and fell in love with a 15-year-old girl as she got off the school bus. When he saw her, he told his friend, "That's the girl I'm going to marry." And he did. ..Now they are together again forever.

Mr. Schamel was born July 28, 1929, in Red Bud, Illinois to the late George John and Mina Louise Crandell Schamel. He was a co-owner of Sharon Nursery for 40 years. In addition to his parents, Mr. Schamel was preceded in death by his wife- Myra Lois Grant Schamel, grandchild- Stephen Dale Reese, son-in-law-Paul DiCicco, and brothers- Jerry Arthur Schamel and June Leroy Schamel.

Visitation will be Tuesday, May 30, 2017, from 1:30 – 3:00 PM at Caledonia United Pentecostal Church, Caledonia, MS. A funeral service will follow at 3:00 PM at Caledonia United Pentecostal Church, Caledonia, MS with Bro. Grant Mitchell and Bro. Jimmy Mangrum assisting. Interment will be in Egger Cemetery, Caledonia, MS with Lowndes Funeral Home directing.

Mr. Schamel is survived by his daughters- Susan (Dale) Reese, Caledonia, MS, Jacqueline DiCicco, Columbus, MS, Vickie (Rick) Sample, Valley Center, KS; brother- Gail Schamel; sister- Virginia Russell; grandchild- Phillip DiCicco; great-grandchildren- Jackson Paul DiCicco, Katie (Jon) Huntley, Tori (Mickey) Allen, Anna (Brad) Seawright; great-great-grandchildren-McKinley, Harlow, Stella Kate, Ella, Charlie, Noah and a host of nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers: Phillip DiCicco, Jackson DiCicco, Alex Grant, Eric Grant, Andy Grant and Chris Griffin. Honorary pallbearers  Michael Grant, Gary Holtman, Angie Cox, Linda Stockman, Larry Stockman, David Stockman, Tommy Clegg, Eric Bounds, Bo Diermann, Douglas Holliman, and John DiCicco.

Memorials may be made to Miracles of Faith Ministry, 141 Mangrum Road, McCool, MS 39108.