Danielle Colby, star of American Pickers, is mourning the loss of someone very dear to her, just days after celebrating her dream wedding to Jeremy Scheuch. The couple tied the knot in a fairytale-like ceremony in Puerto Rico last weekend.
On Tuesday, the 48-year-old History Channel star shared the heartbreaking news of her father-in-law’s passing in an emotional social media post.
Danielle posted a heartfelt tribute alongside a photo of herself with “Papa John,” Jeremy’s father. In the picture, the couple is seated on the front porch, with Jeremy holding their small puppy. Beside them sat Papa John and Jeremy’s mother, both of whom passed away shortly after the wedding.
In her touching letter to her father-in-law, Danielle wrote, “Papa John, you dedicated your life to fighting for and creating miracles for the most vulnerable children in your community.”
She recalled the first time they met, saying, “You and your elves had transformed an airline hangar into the North Pole to fulfill a little girl’s dream. You brought her joy, hope, and peace, just as you did for us.”
“You’ve always supported and believed in me, even when I struggled to believe in myself,” she continued. “Maybe others didn’t think I was good enough, but you did. You made me feel safe, and you gave me the space to open up to you.”
“You traveled hundreds of miles to be with us, opening your doors when we needed your magic to help us through tough times,” Danielle reflected.
She also expressed gratitude for the love and care he showed her, particularly around the holidays, saying, “As someone who didn’t grow up celebrating Christmas, you helped me see it in a new light. You never saw these occasions as a time to receive, but as a chance to share your love, acceptance, and kindness with others.”
Danielle admitted that it took time for her to fully open up to Papa John, but she cherished the memories they created together, along with Jeremy, who she noted shares many of his father’s qualities.
“Thank you for everything,” she wrote. “Moving forward with the wedding was hard without you, and we shed many tears as little things reminded us of you.”
Jeremy also shared a post in memory of his father, featuring an old photo of himself as a child, standing in the front yard with a much younger Papa John.
In the photo, Jeremy, dressed in a red jacket, resembles a small child, while his father stands beside him.
“My father, John Scheuch. June 28, 1953 – February 19, 2024. Rest in peace, Dad. You were the best father I could have asked for. I am heartbroken,” Jeremy wrote.
He added in the comments, “I don’t even know what to say right now. But I’m thankful I have the best wife by my side through it all.”
Danielle left a supportive message for her husband beneath the photo, saying, “My heart aches for you and your family right now. He was a man who made dreams come true for those with the weakest spirits.”