John August Schlener
After a life’s journey of 93 years, John August Schlener went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Sunday morning, November 29, 2009, in Liberty Lake, WA. Funeral Services will be held on Friday, December 6, 2009 at 11:00 am in the Bonners Ferry Funeral Home with interment will be in the Moravia Cemetery.
Born in Centuria, WI, on March 5, 1917, to August and Rena Schlener, he and older sister Ruth and younger brother Paul spent several years in Conde, SD, before moving to Bonners Ferry, ID, in the late 1930s.
He married the former Frances Marie Read, also of Bonners Ferry, in June of 1942. Shortly thereafter, John reported to California and Texas for training with the US Army Air Corps as a Bombardier-Navigator on the Boeing B-17. Son John was born in 1944 in Florida, just before 1st Lt Schlener shipped overseas for duty with the 8th Air Force in Europe. Wounded in action over Germany on his 13th combat bombing mission, he returned to the USA for extensive surgery and rehabilitation to his right hand and arm.
After reuniting with wife Frances, John’s young family along with brother Paul and his new wife Jessie, moved to Southern California to prepare for service as missionaries. After graduating from the Bible Institute of Los Angeles in the late 1940s and the birth of son David, John and Fran continued their training while raising support for overseas service. In 1951, both couples arrived in the Upper Amazon of Brazil to begin an evangelistic, church-planting, team ministry in Brazil with the Association of Baptists for World Evangelism. Over the years, their jungle ministry was expanded to reach both Portuguese- speaking and tribal cultures along the Amazon, planting churches, schools and clinics. Ahead of their time, the two families prioritized local, indigenous and independent leadership in every area. Nicknamed “The Port of Two Brothers,” their missionary efforts have been documented in brother Paul Schlener’s book of the same name, as well as several documentary films and National Geographic articles.
Son Philip was born in South America in 1953, followed by daughter Allene five years later. Raised biculturally, their four children were educated with a combination of parent homeschooling as well as mission schools. Wife Fran’s health forced a five-year return to the USA in 1969, but they were able to resume missionary service in 1974. This time, however, they served in the high-rise megalopolis of São Paulo in southern Brazil.
In 1979, health problems once again forced a return to the United States, where John and Fran served as Northwest representatives for their mission. Formal retirement in 1982 marked an end to over 30 years of service. They immediately resumed the same assignment as retiree volunteers and continued to enjoy a variety of ministries with the Community Fellowship Church in Bonners Ferry.
John’s wife Frances began an extended struggle with Alzheimer’s disease in 1996 until finally passing in 2006. Throughout her long illness, John together with daughter Allene cared for Frances, forming strong bonds with many who also contributed to her care. As his own health began failing, John depended more and more on Allene and her husband Steve for the same helps. Even through this, his great sense of humor and positive outlook never failed him, causing many to be drawn to him. He relished these opportunities to share Christ with others, captivating them with accounts of how God had transformed his life and sent him down an exciting path.
Throughout a long and interesting life, John A. Schlener was able to serve God with all his heart, serve his country with sacrifice, serve his fellow man with practical ministry, and serve his family and friends with unreserved love and devotion. A unique man with a singular ministry, his experience is a tribute to the patient abundant grace of a merciful God. John now has entered glory to the welcoming words of his Savior; “Well done, thou good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of your Lord.”
John is survived by his brother, Paul, sons, John, David, Phillip, and daughter Allene, numerous grandchildren and three great grandchildren and beloved friends around the world.
The family suggests donations be made to the John Schlener Memorial Fund at the Association of Baptists for World Evangelism to support the translation of Bible literature into the Ticuna Indian language. Contact ABWE at (717) 774-7000 or online at http://www.abwe.org/give/. Please reference Source code: MMEMJS – Project: 0711171 – Subaccount: 016
Family and friends are invited to sign John’s book at www.bonnersferryfuneralhome.com Arrangement are entrusted to the care of Bonners Ferry Funeral Home.