John Schell

John Clarence Schell, II, 85, of Chatom, passed away Saturday, April 9, 2022, at University Health Hospital (formerly USA) in Mobile. He was born in Chatom on August 4, 1936. A devoted educator, he had taught biology, chemistry and physics classes for the Washington Board of Education and Patrick Henry State Junior College (now Coastal). He had earned degrees at the University of Alabama and Mississippi State University and had been selected for Space Camp with the teacher's program that selected educators for space missions. He was a candidate for the Challenger Space Shuttle mission which ultimately exploded on January 28, 1986, with the finalist, Christa McAuliffe, aboard. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army and loved travel and adventures of all kinds. He visited all 50 of the American states, as well as Canada, Mexico and numerous other foreign lands. A lifelong member of Chatom Baptist Church, he had served as a deacon, Sunday School teacher and the Discipleship Training director. He was also an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting and walking the woods of his beloved Hawthorn community.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Fritz Eugene Schell, Sr., Bernice Henson Schell and brothers, Gene Schell and Sidney Schell.
He is survived by his wife of more than 62 years, Merry Ann Warrick Schell; children, Claren (Lyle) Dease, Wiley C. (Amanda) Schell, Eva (Tony) King; grandchildren, Julia (Isaac) Maloley, Rebecca (Joel) Levins, Jonathan Clarence Schell; two great-grandsons and numerous other relatives and friends.
Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, April 12, 2022, at Chatom Baptist Church with the Rev. Travis Agee officiating. Visitation will begin one hour prior to the service. Interment will follow the service at the Chatom Town Cemetery with Lathan Funeral Home directing.
Pallbearers will be Keith Schell, Geep Phillips, Carl Craig, John Raleigh Hubbard, Larry Hubbard and Bob Jenkins
In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to Chatom Baptist Church or the Washington County Public Library.
Condolences may be offered at www.lathanfuneralhome.com.