Turlock

John Schwab, 94, of Turlock, California, entered the presence of his Lord on September 20, 2011. John was born in Galveston, Texas. He received his education from Wheaton College (Illinois) and the University of Texas where he graduated in Business Management in 1941.
In 1941, shortly after Japan attacked Pearl Harbor, John began US Navy officers training. He served on a minesweeper and the battleship USS Iowa. Later, while serving at Mare Island (Vallejo) he met Eldora Johnson, an R.N. teaching assistant at Samuel Merritt Hospital (Oakland). They were married in January, 1944.
After World War II ended, because of the great needs in Japan, John changed his future direction from insurance sales to preparation for missionary service. He attended Moody Bible Institute (Chicago)and Columbia Bible College (SC) graduating with an MA in Biblical Education. John and Eldora served in Japan for 37 years (TEAM). Many University students opened their hearts in faith to the message of God’s love partly through viewing Moody Science films (with Japanese soundtrack). John played a part in introducing these films to neighboring Korea and Indonesia as well. Another great joy was helping to establish the “Little Bamboo Church” in Tokyo.
After relocating to the United States in 1985, John served for several years on the staff of the US Center for World Mission (Pasadena). When they moved to Turlock, John established and directed the Central Valley Center for World Mission (organizing mission seminars in several valley cities). John and Eldora have been long-time members of Monte Vista Chapel.
John is survived by his wife of 67 years Eldora, 5 children: Phil (Ann) of Reston, Virginia, Jonathan (Mary-Jane) of Wilmington, Delaware, Lo-Anne (Stan) Olson of Tokyo, Japan, David of Altadena, California, and Ruthi (Dave) Kuhn of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; nine grandchildren, nine great grandchildren, and one sister Elizabeth (Harry) Jarvis of Houston, Texas.
On September 30th at 3PM, a celebration of John’s life will be held at Covenant Village of Turlock in the Berg Hall, 2125 N. Olive. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to TEAM, PO Box 969, Wheaton, IL 60187-969 for the China Ministry Acct. No. 07865 c/o Phil Schwab. Please leave memories and condolences at www.allenmortuary.com.

Turlock Journal
Wednesday, September 28, 2011