Obituary of Shirley J. Schilling

Shirley J. Schilling  

Age 80, of Edgar, passed away on Friday, March 30, 2018 with her husband at her bedside.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:30AM on Friday, April 6, 2018 at Saint John the Baptist Catholic Church in Edgar with Rev. Thomas Huff officiating.  Burial will follow Saint John’s Cemetery.  Family and friends are invited to gather on Thursday at the church in Edgar from 4PM   until 7PM and again on Friday at the church from 10:30AM until time of services.  The honor of pallbearer will belong to Jeremy Ruplinger, Troy Ruplinger, Tyler Schilling, Koleman Schilling, Josh Vanderhoof, Amber Michur, Lindsey Doman and Mallory Zietlow.

Shirley was born on June 7, 1937 in Wausau, the daughter of William and Stella (Wilichowski) Bedynek.  She was a graduate of Marathon City High School in 1955.  Shirley was united in marriage to Wayne Schilling on July 21, 1956 at Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish in Marathon City. Shirley and Wayne owned and operated a dairy farm in the Town of Wien in Marathon County. Together, side by side they worked tirelessly to build up their farming operation and she was very proud of what they had accomplished.

She was a member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church and the Small Town Homemakers Club from 1982 to 2014. 

Shirley shared her talented gifts with her family and friends through her piano playing and accordion playing abilities. For over 30 years she played piano by ear never once taking a formal lesson.  She enjoyed spending time with her granddaughter Amber researching genealogy, reading a favorite book, being outside riding her snowmobile, motorcycle or ATV or perhaps driving her favorite most special toy, her Kubota tractor.  Any family gatherings would not be complete without Shirley’s famous German potato salad.

Survivors include her husband Wayne of Edgar; her children: Russell (Sandy) Schilling of Marathon, Laurie (Duane) Zietlow of Rib Mountain, Kathy (Leon) Ruplinger of Marathon, Gary (Sue) Schilling of Athens; her grandchildren: Tyler (Erin) Schilling, Koleman Schilling, Amber Michur, Lindsey (Chris) Doman, Mallory (significant other Tou Bee Yang) Zietlow, Jeremy (Lisa) Ruplinger, Troy Ruplinger, Josh (significant other Heidi Opdahl) Vanderhoof; two step grandchildren: Josh Rychtik and Leah (Brian) Brophy; three great grandchildren: Ethan Doman, Archer Vanderhoof, Oliver Ruplinger and one due in July 2018; three step great-grandchildren: Allie Westfall, Mikaiah Rychtik, Dillon Brophy; three godchildren: Jennifer Lavicka, Glen Leutschwager and Ryan Schilling, along with many other relatives and friends.

Shirley was preceded in death by her parents and a brother Roland in infancy.

If desired, the family is accepting memorials in Shirley’s name to be directed to support Saint John’s Parochial School.

Shirley’s family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the staff at Interim Health, especially Monica Chandler, who helped them through the most difficult times.

Her arrangements are under the care of Life Tributes Funeral Home-Spencer.  Visit www.lifetributesfuneralhome.com to share thoughts and condolences.