The accident happened before 7 p.m. just 250 yards from the Neptune Municipal Marina.
Witnesses said the plane made an awful sound as it nose-dived into about 3 feet of water.
A spokesman from the Coast Guard said Wednesday rescuers were picking pieces of the plane out of the water on Sunday in hopes of being able to identify the pilot and determine if there was anyone else in the plane. His body was recovered Monday afternoon. He was alone in the plane.
Jahns, a financial adviser in Point Pleasant Beach, N.J., was born in Temple in 1963. His parents, Richard and Mary Helen Jahns Schigut of Temple, were the owners of Schigut’s Department Store in Belton.
Since leaving Temple, Jahns traveled the world and the country. Aviation was a large part of his life; he affectionately referred to his plane as “Lucy.”
Locals reacted with shock at the man’s death.
A family friend, Gene Engebrock, said his parents had gone to New Jersey while the search was taking place. Other family members have since followed.
“I am concerned for his father who has recently had serious surgery,” Engebrock said. “His parents must be devastated. I wish there was more I could do - or something I could do.”
Bob McQueen, who coached at Temple High School for 28 seasons, said, “He played in our defensive secondary. He was a very good player but more importantly he was a great young man.” Jahns was part of the team that won the class 4A-state championship in 1979.
“He was wonderful to work with and had a great attitude - you know, just the kind of guy that everyone loves to coach. Just a special guy,” an obviously upset McQueen said.
Greg Piney, a fellow Texan and friend of Jahns, posted on the www.vansairforce.com Web site dedicated to home aviators that “one of his goals with the plane was to be able to freely fly between NJ and TX to visit family and friends more often. He even had routes pre-planned and intended to fly there later this summer after Phase 1 was completed.”
Jahns is survived by his parents; brothers, John Jahns of Rosebud and Michael Jahns of Temple; and sister, Jana Jahns of San Diego, Calif.
A memorial Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, July 12 at 11 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Cyclone. There will be a rosary service beginning at 10:30 a.m. in the church on Saturday morning.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to St. Mary’s Catholic School in Temple or to a charity of your choice.
Bill Bowman with the Asbury Park Press in New Jersey contributed to this report.
