John Henry Schartung

John Henry Schartung II, 80, passed on October 12, 2023, at Owensboro Health Regional Hospital. John was born December 14, 1942, in Owensboro to the late John Henry Schartung I and Marjorie Dean Russell Schartung (now Morgan). John was a Christian, and served in the U.S. Army from 1958 - 1960 and then returned to Owensboro after his tour of duty. He found his way to Nashville and worked for a caterer who introduced him to some of the biggest names in entertainment like Bill Monroe, Charlie Daniels, and John Hartford. He landed a bit part in the film "Murder in Music City" and photographed for the Grand Ole Opry and Demission Records.
After years of working to support his family as a carpenter, draftsman, and photographer, John was able to follow his dream to have a career in fine art. He received undergraduate degrees from Owensboro Community and Technical College and the University of Southern Indiana. He earned a Master of Art from Indiana State University (member of Phi Theta Kappa) and a Master of Fine Art from the Vermont College of Fine Arts (at the age of 79), while exhibiting his artwork internationally. John has had works published in the Contemporary American Print Magazine, catalogs from Serbia, and Germany, with art in collections in the United States, Europe, and Asia.
John then followed his passion for teaching, instilled by the talented professors he worked with as a student. He taught almost every course in the arts offered at Brescia University, Kentucky Wesleyan College and OCTC, the latter two colleges as of this fall. In the summer of 2014, John taught Beginning Drawing and Digital Photography in Central Europe while based in Olomouc, Czech Republic. Above all, John adored his students for their passion and commitment to the arts. He inspired them to become artists, educators, and art administrators, just as his professors had instilled in him.
In addition to his father, John is preceded in death by his brother David Schartung. Surviving are his mother Marjorie (age 99), daughter Anna Tidwell (Caleb), son Jeremiah Schartung, sisters Ruth Hill (Carroll) and Betty Wedding (Ed), half-brother Stacy Stewart, grandchildren August, Ariana, Kingston, Chrisney, Chase, Kelsey, Lindsey and Kayla.
There will be no funeral. A celebration of life will be announced at a later date. Donations may be made in memory of John to John H. Schartung Memorial Fund, 3029 School Side Street, Murfreesboro, TN 37128