Stephen A. Schrock

Stephen A. Schrock, born March 7, 1927, age 84, died Thursday, October 6, 2011 at Cobb Hospital in Austell. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Louise Cook Schrock and three children: David (wife Dr. Julie Overcash); Jennifer (husband Bradley Mottier); and Philip (wife Patricia). His deceased parents, George M. and Romeyn Hoke Schrock were of Chicago, Illinois. Preceding him in death are brothers, Melvel, and George K. a sister, Romeyn Sloan (husband Dale) of Nevada, Iowa, survives. There are eight grandchildren: Lauren and Mathew Schrock of Aurora, Il.; Danielle, Bradley and Charles Mottier of Cincinnati, Ohio; and Ryan, Joshua and Megan Schrock of Dallas, Ga. A Memorial Service will be held at First Presbyterian Church of Marietta at 4:00 p.m. Sunday, October 16, 2011 with Rev. John Wells and Rev. Denise Beltziner officiating. A private committal service will be held. Stephen graduated with a Bachelor of Science and a Bachelor of Naval Science from Purdue University in 1947 and a Master of Arts Degree from Indiana in 1949. He was a graduate of Morgan Park High School in 1944. Stephen was a high school mathematics teacher for 35 years, beginning his teaching career in 1956 and retiring in 1991 from Lyons Township High School in La Grange/Western Springs, Illinois. The school was a two campus high school with freshmen and sophomores in Western Springs and juniors and seniors in La Grange, both Chicago suburbs. Stephen was a baritone soloist and sang professionally around the Chicago area and in Indiana. He was a church soloist in Morgan Park and became a Director of Music in 1961 at the Palos Park Presbyterian Church (Illinois), a southwestern suburb of Chicago, where he remained for 27 years. Following his retirement from Palos Park, he substituted as choir director for two churches in La Grange, Illinois: The First Presbyterian Church of La Grange and The First Methodist Church of La Grange. Oratorio singing was a special joy of Stephen with his singing bass solos in the “Messiah” by Handel, :”Elijah” by Mendelssohn, “Creation” by Haydn, “St. Mathew Passion” by Bach, “A German Requiem” by Brahms, “Christmas Oratorio” by Bach, “Requiem” by G. Verdi, “Christmas Oratorio” by Camille Saint-Saens, “Requiem” by Johannes Brahms, “Requiem” by Mozart, and also the opera “Amahl and the Night Visitors.” Stephen played the cello in high school and spent a summer at Interlochen Music Camp in Michigan. During his long service at Palos Park Presbyterian, he was called to sing solos at weddings, funerals, social club meetings, and to entertain at various programs in the community. Stephen directed at least six Bach cantatas: “Christ Lay in Death’s Dark Prison,” “Jesus, Thou My Wearied Spirit,” “The Lord is Sun and Shield,” “Weeping Crying,” “God’s Time is the Best,” and “For Us a Child is Born.” Stephen was interested in working with wood and refinished a variety of projects. In his home in La Grange, he refinished a basement room and built a book cabinet for the living room and for his home in Powder Springs, he constructed shelving. Gardening was a special interest of Stephen and he also designed a set of steps to a lower patio at his Powder Springs home. Contributions in lieu of flowers may be made in the name of Stephen to First Presbyterian Church of Marietta, 189 Church Street, Marietta, Ga. 30060-1629 or to CFC International, CFC Syndrome.org. Mayes Ward-Dobbins Funeral Home and Crematory in Marietta will be handling the service. www.mayeswarddobbins.com

Stephen A. Schrock

March 7, 1927 - October 6, 2011