So where does our hope come from? Paul tells us in Titus 3:5 He saved us,
not because of righteousthings we had done, but because of his mercy.He saved
us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.” and in
Roman 15:13 “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in
believing, that you may abound in hope”
Our father was a man of faith and hope. I pray that God will comfort you and
fill you with hope.
Thank-you for being here it means a lot to our family. After mass and as we
leave the Family encourages you to celebrate a great full life. Share stories
about Dad and what he meant to you. Thank-you and God bless. 

Dad was a fun person to be around always smiling, laughing and engaging
people. Dad liked to play games with the grand kids. There was laughing and
at times fun screaming at Grandpa because they would catch him cheating.
That was the fun part for him. He invested significantly to provide for their
future. A great man leaves a legacy.
Our mother Rose passed away in 1995. Dad married Eleanor Dichito in 1997
who was also a widow. They too had a long and wonderful life together until
Eleanor passed away in 2019.
Dad was fiercely independent. Later in life he struggled because he needed
more help. This was a new chapter for Dad. It resulted in a very close
relationship between a dad and his daughter as they waded through the
rough waters of life. Dad learned to rely on another person, and they grew
very close. Angie, Cathy and Dan you are wonderful people, you loved Dad
with all your heart, soul and strength. We always agreed to do what was best
for our dad. My siblings are people of character because they were raised by
a man of great character. Dad had a wonderful full life and he enjoyed
it. Even during his last days he would perk up, smile and let you know he
loved you.
I would like to end with a two questions. So why are we here in this
place? Certainly, to grieve, pay respect to the family and to honor a man
that we all loved. At a deeper spiritual level, we are in this place because of
our faith and hope. Dad attended Saint Luke’s and he lived a life of faith. We
as Christians know Christ died so that we might be reconciled to God through
faith in Christ. We also hold to the promise that Jesus made in John 14 when
he said - “In my father’s house there are many rooms and I go and prepare a
place for you. I will return and you will be with me.” Jesus overcame death
so that we could live eternally with him.

I saw him working hard and not
wanting government handouts. I helped him and I saw his quality of work.
We put food on the table together. Little did I know that these lessons would
imprint my life in such a dramatic way. He did not teach with words or
lectures. He taught by doing what had to be done at the moment. When he
could, dad paid me 10 cents an hour. I bonded with work one day by sewing
my finger into the upholstery. Dad had to cut me free. All along the way Dad
was teaching his children great life lessons. Work hard, have a plan and
endure. My father taught us not to shy away from hard work. Eventually the
economy picked up and dad was a machinist by trade and retired from
General Motors. The apostle Paul tells us in Romans 5 “That suffering
produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character
produces hope, 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has
been poured into our hearts“ When I asked my siblings what did you admire
and learn from Dad? At the top of the list was hard work. My father
demonstrated this. He was a great man of character.
Dad along with other families formed an Italian club. It was called the
Christopher Columbus Social club. They had dances, parties and
socialized. Dad enjoyed people. Each year they held a big public festival, and
our entire family was the set up and tear down crew and the pizza team.
Dad liked to fish and golf and later in life cruises. Dad would take Dan and I
to golf courses and patiently invested his time. Dad eventually hit a hole in
one.
Dad’s family was a priority in his life. We regularly went on vacation to Lake
Erie to enjoy the beach and fishing. Dad surprised us by buying a boat and
we had many wonderful hours on the water. Dad water skied into his late
60’s. Once I started a family, I bought the boat from Dad. He surprised me by
redoing the upholstery. He had a little twinkle in his eye and we both
remembered back many years to the hard times.

John Schiavone	‐	A Great man
Welcome and thank you for attending. My name is John Schiavone and I’m
here to represent my siblings Angie Brookey, Cathy Erbaugh and Dan
Schiavone. I also want to thank Dad’s niece Tina Brown and nephew Jim
Dichito for their input. The family is honored by you being here.
Dad was born in Conversano Italy on February 13th 1926. He would have
been 97 this past Monday. He had a long and wonderful life. Growing up he
was a farmer. His family grew grapes and almonds. We had a chance to tour
Italy and he showed us the family farm and yes he has stomped some
grapes.
The summary of man’s life requires some thought. What makes a great man?
As I pondered this question, I decided it is the character of a man. Character
is something that is earned over the course of time and is observed by
witnesses.
In 1956 at age 30 he came to America at the request of his father to check on
his sister Rosa. Seeing the difficult life her family was having prompted him
to stay giving up his country, family, and friends. He became a surrogate
Father to his nieces and nephews Tina Brown, Jim, Angie and Tony Dichito
when their father died. It was a great selfless man who sacrificed to help his
sister and family. He taught them to be responsible, respectful and do what’s
right. His love and support, guidance and discipline formed who they are
today. He left them with a beautiful legacy rich in Italian culture and heritage!
My Father’s big heart demonstrated his character.
Dad had to learn a new language and make a life for himself. He met our
mother Rose Marie on a blind-date and they were married in 1960. When I
was a young teenager dad and 1000s of others were laid off when National
Cash Register converted to digital cash registers. That was a difficult time
with few opportunities for an immigrant. Dad started a small business
cleaning floors and a home business doing upholstery at night and on
weekends. There were some rough years. 

We will never see another man give up so much of himself.  Your devotion and sacrifice define the “Great Man” you were.  Thank you for your caring heart and most of all for loving us!  Your love gave us so much,  but today you will be taking a piece of our hearts and a piece of Italy with you .  It will never be the same with you gone.  Another chapter closed but not the book!
We will celebrate your life and cherish all the blessings you have given us.  We put our trust in God that he will bless us with the strength, courage, faith, hope and love to live a life as you have.  God bless you and may you rest in peace.  We Love you.  Tina, Jim, Angie, Tony, and extended family.


My Surrogate Father
By Tina Brown representing her siblings Jim, Angie and Tony Dichito.
We knew this day was coming and how hard it would be, yet the loss is more profound than we could have imagined! It is not only the loss of an uncle but the surrogate dad and an immigrant from the old-world country.  There will never be another.  It was a great selfless man who sacrificed so much for two families.  He obtained a visa to come to America to visit with his sister Rosa.  Seeing the difficult life, she and her family were having prompted him to stay in America giving up his country, family, and friends for all of us.  Our dad was sick, and he died when we were young.  Uncle John with his future wife, Rose Marie played a significant role in the direction our lives went.  Without their love and support I don’t know where we would be today.  Our mother, Uncle John and Rose Marie worked together to do what needed to be done.  In six short years upon his arrival to America, he married Rose Marie had their first child and become the father of two families and eventually a total of eight children. That is true love and what the importance of family meant to him.
That’s the legacy he has left us. The lessons we learned and the stories we would tell are too numerous to count. Those lessons were learned mostly by example.  When the example wasn’t working well the belt came out and occasionally with the pop on the mouth for talking back.  We were  expected to be responsible, respectful and do what’s right.  There were endless chores we helped with, and we worked hard at such a young age.  The guidance and influence of three selfless parents shaped us into who we are today.  He has left us a beautiful legacy rich in Italian culture and heritage!  Uncle John, we promise you that we will pass it on to our children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.  We are as proud of our Italian heritage as you were.


Angie and Tom,
We offer our sincere condolences to you and your family. May you continue to cherish such loving and fond memories.

Willie and Roberta Boyd 


We are so sorry for your loss. Mr. Schiavone was a very sweet man and I am honored to have known him. We have you all in our prayers. 
Love & God Bless,
Janice (Barlow), Rick, Josie & Elsie Dahlinghuas

My condolences, John was a great neighbor with a wonderful family. Sending you peace and comfort during this difficult time. 

With  deepest sympathy, Roger Panton

A great ITALIAN man enters Heaven today!
I will never forget his deep Italian accent, his wine making, gardening, & working around the house. He was a wonderful FAMILY man & always made his kids friends feel very welcome.  Our parents LOVED the Christopher Columbus Social Club & had many parties on Third Steet lodge. John is history to my family & is probably in Heaven SALUTING over a glass of wine with ALL his many friends. RIP faithful servant of God. You are LOVED!!

John and Rosie were best friends with my parents and I spent lots of fun times at their house when we were young. I'll always treasure the best memories of those times. John, Angie, Cathy and Dan you all are in my prayers along with your families. Much love from Vanessa Meo (and the rest of the Meo's)
 

OBITUARY

John Schiavone

February 13, 1926 – February 9, 2023

Tobias Funeral Home - Beavercreek Chapel

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