COLUMBUS
Willis “Jack” Schmeckebier 1928-2024
We are heartbroken to announce the passing of Willis “Jack” Schmeckebier, who died on October 10, 2024 from injuries he suffered in a car accident a few weeks prior on September 19. He passed away in Indianapolis, Indiana at Methodist Hospital.
This kind and gentle soul packed a lot of life into his 96 years, and we were privileged to know him. Jack will be remembered for his kindness, bright smile, and willingness to help others.
Born on September 7, 1928 to Dr. Willis and Ella Schmeckebier of Chicago Heights, Illinois, Jack is survived by his sister, Diane Wheatley of California and many cousins. Both his wife, Helen, and his second wife, Marjorie, preceded him in death.
Surviving from his marriage to Helen is stepdaughter Kris Mohr of northern Illinois and step grandchildren Anthony and Keith, as well as three great-grandchildren. Also, step-nephew Mark Richter, Columbus and step-nieces Margot Richter, Indianapolis, Michelle Richter, Columbus, and step-great-niece Mindy, Columbus.
Survivors from his union with Marjorie Glick Foster are step-son Mark Foster of northern Ohio, and five step-grandchildren, step-daughter Anita Foster of Cincinnati, Ohio and one step-grandson, and step-son Harold of Columbus, Indiana and three step-grandchildren.
Jack and his wife, Helen, moved to Columbus in 1974 when he was hired as the horticulturalist for the Irwin Gardens. Also, he tended the grounds at the Miller House on north Washington Street. A graduate of the horticulture program at the University of Illinois, he was very knowledgeable about trees, plants, and flowers.
During Jack’s employment as horticulturalist at the Irwin Gardens, Mrs. Miller sent him overseas to the Chelsea Flower Show in London. She wanted him to expand his knowledge about plants and flowers, but she was especially interested in his learning about herb gardens so he could start one at the Irwin Gardens.
He was inspired by his trip, and when he returned, he designed and planted an herb garden on the southeast side of the property. In fact, during his many years of employment at Irwin Gardens, Jack was responsible for selecting and seeing that all the flowers were planted there, and he grew many flowers, including orchids, in the greenhouse.
Another remarkable act of Jack’s involved the Columbus Parks and Recreation Department. The parks and rec director was concerned about the wellbeing of the city’s trees in Mill Race Park and Donner Park. Once again, the Millers turned to Jack, and he was tasked with checking the trees to see what was growing in the parks and how healthy they were.
To determine that, Jack, his wife, Helen, good friend Larry Brackney, and an arbor expert from Purdue University went to the two parks to investigate. They noted the kind of trees growing there and the health of each one. Also, they measured the girth of all the trees. Jack wrote a final report and submitted it to the parks department.
Always stepping up to help whenever and wherever he could, Jack received the Columbus Community Service Award in 1993. Some of his activities included being president of the Columbus Orchid Society, Columbus Herb Society, and Columbus Art League, and he was an active volunteer at the Bartholomew County Historical
Society and the Bartholomew County Public Library.
Also, Jack was a River Rat, the group that maintained Mill Race Park and cleared trees and limbs from the White River. For a time, he and the other River Rats worked inside the Crump Theatre cleaning and doing demo work to prepare it for renovation.
He was active in the Ethnic Expo Kite Fly and the original Festival of the Lights. More recently, he was a member of the Model A Club and the Columbus Area Railroad Club. To describe Jack in two words, he was a “volunteer extraordinaire.”
Besides being very knowledgeable about flowers, plants, and trees, Jack was an interesting person who enjoyed traveling, and collecting antiques. He liked being with people and telling tall tales, leaving listeners wondering if what they’d just heard was indeed true! When friends were asked to characterize Jack, they would light up, and the words kind and gentle were always used.
He attended Petersville United Methodist Church, where he could be found in the kitchen carving meat for their chicken and noodle fundraiser. No services for Jack were planned, but he requested that he be cremated with his ashes scattered about the Bartholomew County farmland he had grown to love.
A celebration of life for Jack will be held on October 8 from 2:00 p.m. until 4:30 p.m. in the Cal Brand Room at City Hall. In his memory, donations may be made to the Tree Fund, c/o the Columbus Parks Foundation, 2252 25th St., Columbus, IN, 47201.
