John Harold Schuessler, son of John Herman and Ida Wilhelmina Jordan Schuessler, was born on February 24, 1925 and died on April 15, 2019. He was preceded in death by his mother and father, 4 sisters--Frances Mae Schuessler Schmidt, Johnita Pearl Schuessler Bohmfalk, Ruth Alice Schuessler, Virginia Marie Schuessler and 1 granddaughter.

John spent his life as a rancher in Mason County on the Llano River near Castell with his wife of 73 years, Dorothy Bauer Schuessler. They were married on December 27, 1945 in Llano County where they lived in the heritage family home and raised a family of 3 children. As a young couple, John and Dorothy worked together on their ranch, providing a wonderful home for their children. They enjoyed hunting, fishing, dancing, playing 42 with their friends, and making and eating homemade ice cream.

John attended school at Castell and graduated from Mason High School in 1942. During his schooling in Mason, he stayed with his grandmother during the week, returning home each weekend to help his mother on the family ranch.

John's life as a rancher began at the age of 10 upon his father's untimely death just after the 1935 Llano River flood. Being the only son and youngest still at home, he was the one to help his mother continue ranching. Along with help from his mother's brothers, he became a successful rancher. Throughout his ranching life, he was involved in the Texas and American Maine-Anjou Associations by introducing exotic cattle breeds into his livestock herd through the new field of artificial insemination. As a youth and adult, he was active in local and state livestock shows.

John Harold served the community as a member and officer of Mason County Farm Bureau, Mason Jaycees, Mason ISD, Central Texas Electric Cooperative, and Federal Housing Authority. In 2005, he was honored by Texas Farm Bureau with the Pioneer Award. He not only served his home county of Mason, but was also a founding member of the Castell Volunteer Fire Department.

John took an active role in the First United Methodist church, serving on various committees. He was also a Sunday school teacher, lay leader, a delegate to annual conference for the First United Methodist Church of Mason, and a board member of the San Angelo District of the Southwest Conference. For many years, John was a member of the Mason Men's Choir and the German Hymn Fest.

John is survived by his wife, Dorothy; 3 children--John W. Schuessler (Gena) of Llano, TX; Wade Schuessler (Beth) of Coppell, TX; Ginger Schuessler of Mason, TX.; 6 grandchildren--Aayric Hooten, Jordanna Richesin, Chapel Schuessler, Chandler Schuessler, Annelise Fellows, Holly (Charlotte) Schuessler; 13 great grandchildren.

Pallbearers: Chapel Schuessler, Chandler Schuessler, Aayric Hooten, Richard Castro, Greg Gant, David Schulze.

Honorary pallbearers: Granddaughters Jordanna, Annelise, and Charlotte; Kenneth Durst, Dr. Ed Stein, Don Vierus, Winfred Bauer, Harold Hoerster, Rob Hofmann, Kenneth Dan Bailey, Mary Beth Helmcamp, his nieces and nephews.

Charitable contributions may be made to Castell VFD, First United Methodist Church of Mason, or a charity of your choice.