Grand marshal, almost 100, excited by the honor Today's Jubilee parade grand marshal is the oldest living retired employee of the Ohio Art Co. A month before his 100th birthday, Grand Marshal John P. Schelling's age will soon correlate with the 100th anniversary of Ohio Art. Schelling began working for Ohio Art in 1929. "It was right during the Great Depression," said Schelling's only child, Marlene Flora. She spoke for her father, who finds it difficult to communicate with the telephone. "Like everyone in his generation," she said, "he quit school and went to work." He worked as a punch press operator and die setter, ensuring the toys were printed and colored correctly. He stamped out products such as tea sets, tops, globes and pails. "It was his life; his bread and butter," Flora said. "He loved making the toys. He was never late to work and he only missed half a day when he cut his right index finger." Being a die setter required patience and precise actions for two reasons, Flora said. ÒNo. 1, the die would be ruined if you didn't change it correctly. Or, what you were printing out would not be printed correctly." Flora said her father often talks about printing the world globe at Ohio Art. The first day the top half of the globe was stamped. Late in the day the die setters changed the dies and prepared to stamp the bottom half of the globes the following day. "I guess that was quite a big challenge," his daughter said. "It's one of his favorite stories." Schelling left Ohio Art in 1942 to serve his country during World War II. He returned from war in 1945. Shortly thereafter, he returned to work at Ohio Art. Schelling retired in 1973, contributing 44 1/2 years to the company. Schelling jokes with his family that he wanted to put in 45 years at the company. "His boss said, John, you're just too ... old," his daughter said. John was 65 when he retired. "At that age, they required you to (retire)." He spends his retirement fishing and watching golf with his daughter. He enjoys card games, especially Euchre, Flora also said. "But he loves fishing the best." At his residence in Belle Center, Ohio, Schelling "lives on a channel and fishes of the sea wall," his daughter said. A North Dakota native, Schelling moved to Bryan when he was about 6 years old, Flora said. His adoptive parents, Edward and Edith Schelling, were eager to return to their hometown area to escape the negative 60-degree weather, she also said. "Everyone in Bryan knew (my dad) because he rode his bike everywhere," she said. When Schelling returns to Bryan for the parade Flora said, "He hopes to see a bunch of people he knows." When Schelling was asked to be the grand marshal, Flora said her fatherÕs eyes lit up and his hands went into the air. "He said, 'Oh, tell them yes.'" "It's quite an honor," Schelling said. "I never supposed I'd be ask to do that." Flora said her father is excited about the event. "He keeps asking me, 'Are we getting close yet?' So I marked the parade on the calendar in big red marker." Watching Schelling in the parade, along with Marlene and her husband Doug, will be his grandson, David Flora and his wife Carol, and Schelling's seven great-grandchildren. editor@bryantimes.com
