SCHENKENFELDER, John Charles, 59, of Louisville, passed away Sunday, September 18, 2011 at his home.
Courier Journal Forum Fellow member and Point Taken blogger John Schenkenfelder passed away surrounded by his loving family. John’s perspectives were regularly published in the Sunday Forum editorial section of the newspaper. Keeping his family first, John was a Renaissance Man – a financial guru, inventor, author, community philanthropist and mentor for many.
John was born in Louisville and was one of seven children. After graduating from Atherton High School in 1971, John received a Journalism degree from the University of Kentucky in 1974. Dedicating over thirty years of his life to the financial services industry, John became First Vice President of Investments at global Swiss Bank UBS. Since 1992, John served as an arbitrator for FINRA, the regulatory organization of the U.S. securities industry. For 18 years, John served on the Board of Directors at Keller Mfg Co, a publicly traded furniture company, located in Corydon, IN.
John authored and published books It’s Our Game and Recipe for Eggnog and invented games Acrue and Rip Tag, sold globally. In honor of his mother, John and his wife Karen established the Marcella Prize, a University of Kentucky scholarship awarded to mechanical engineering students. John gave back to the community in many ways. Volunteering at St. Agnes, John coached youth soccer and helped launch the annual picnic. John also proctored the Investment Club at St. Xavier High School, and served as a Junior Achievement volunteer at Central High School.
In recent years, John loved spending time at his farm with his family and traveling with his wife Karen. Referred to as a lifter for many, John will be remembered for his analytical insights and inspirational wisdom. He was preceded in death by his parents, Lloyd and Marcella Schenkenfelder.
John is survived by his wife, Karen of 33 years, three sons, Jon (Heather - fiancée), Rob and Michael; three sisters, Rosie Scott, Mary Ann Rutledge (Rick); Jean Deignan (Mark); three brothers, Mike (Paula) of Indianapolis, IN, Joe (Carole) of London, KY and Dan (Kim); many cousins, nieces and nephews. Thanks to all friends and neighbors for their love and support.
John’s memorial Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Friday, September 23 at St. Agnes Catholic Church, 1920 Newburg Road. Memorial visitation will be from 2-8 p.m., on Thursday at Highlands Funeral Home, 3331 Taylorsville Road.
Donations to the University of Kentucky, Hosparus and St. Agnes Catholic Church.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of John Charles Schenkenfelder, please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.