Danielle Colby, star of American Pickers, recently experienced a bittersweet chapter in her life, as just days after her dream wedding to Jeremy Scheuch in Puerto Rico, tragedy struck. The couple had celebrated a beautiful ceremony, marking the beginning of their life together, only to face heartbreak with the sudden loss of Jeremy’s father, known as “Papa John.”
Danielle shared the news with her followers on social media, revealing the sorrowful events that unfolded. The picture she posted showed her with Jeremy’s parents, with their dog by their side, capturing a joyful moment just before the devastating loss.
A Heartfelt Tribute to Papa John
In her emotional message, Danielle expressed her deep gratitude and admiration for her father-in-law, recalling the moments that made him a remarkable person. “Papa John…you spent your life fighting for and making miracles happen for the most vulnerable kids in your community,” Danielle wrote. She shared the memory of their first meeting, where she witnessed him create magical moments for children, including transforming an airplane hangar into the North Pole to fulfill the dreams of a young girl with cancer.
She described how Papa John’s love and support had shaped her own self-belief, as he was always there for her, even when she doubted herself. Danielle acknowledged his profound impact on her life, stating that despite challenges in opening up, she had felt safe and accepted in his presence.
“Everyone knows that takes time,” Danielle continued. “You traveled thousands of miles many times to be with us, and opened your home when we needed your magic to help us through tough times.”
Papa John’s unwavering generosity and his ability to see the holidays as an opportunity to spread love and kindness left an enduring impact on Danielle, particularly because she hadn’t grown up with the holiday traditions that many people take for granted.
Moving Forward Without Papa John
Despite the loss, Danielle shared how she and Jeremy found moments of magic during their wedding week, even though Papa John wasn’t physically present. She reflected on how little things, including the people who celebrated with them, reminded them of him.
“Little magical moments we had never experienced before, but suddenly, the entire week of our wedding was filled with the most inexplicable magic—our surroundings, the people who came to celebrate, and the love we hold for each other,” Danielle wrote. She added that she felt Papa John’s presence everywhere, from the sunrises and sunsets to the gatherings that brought them all together. Though he was no longer with them physically, Danielle believed that his spirit was all around them.
“Now rest,” she concluded, honoring his memory while expressing her deep emotional connection to him.
Jeremy’s Tribute to His Father
Jeremy Scheuch, devastated by the loss of his father, also paid tribute with a nostalgic photo of himself as a child with Papa John. In the image, Jeremy was just a young boy dressed in a red jacket, with his father standing beside him.
“My dad. John Scheuch. From June 28, 1953, to February 19, 2024. Rest in peace, Dad. You were the best dad I could have asked for. I am heartbroken,” Jeremy wrote in his post. He added in a comment, “I don’t even know what to say right now. I’m grateful to have the best wife by my side through it all.”
Danielle’s Support for Jeremy
Danielle, always a supportive partner, responded to her husband’s grief with words of comfort and understanding. She wrote, “My heart hurts so much for you and your family right now. People who were weakest in spirit saw their dreams come true because of him.” She expressed her deep appreciation for how much Papa John had taught her about helping others and making space for them in one’s life. Danielle also shared how she felt his presence even more strongly when she was with Jeremy, as if his spirit lived on through their love and the family they had built together.
“Thank you for bringing Papa John into my life and the lives of my children,” Danielle added, showing the depth of their connection and the lasting impact Papa John had on their lives.
A Wedding Marked by Loss
Danielle and Jeremy’s wedding, which was meant to be a celebration of their love, became a bittersweet memory, tinged with sorrow due to the sudden passing of Jeremy’s father. Despite the heartbreak, they leaned on each other for support and found strength in the love that surrounded them. The couple had been together for six years and engaged for nearly four years before finally tying the knot. While their joyous occasion was overshadowed by grief, they have shown remarkable resilience in honoring the memory of Papa John while continuing to move forward together as a family.
