Schilling, Larry 1944 - 2017

SCHILLING, BAYER, SMITH, YEE, THURMAN, CARTER, NUNNALLY, KITCHELL, SANCHEZ

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 12/30/2017 at 16:10:48

U.S. Veteran
Larry Schilling, age 74, of Decorah, IA, died on Monday, December 11, 2017 at Gunderson Health Systems in LaCrosse, WI.

A celebration of life will be held from 3:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 20, 2017, at the Schluter-Balik Funeral Home, 604 South Avenue, Decorah, IA.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate memorials be given in Larry’s name to Opportunity Homes Inc., PO Box 166, Decorah, Iowa 52101 or to the First United Methodist Church, 302 West Broadway, Decorah, Iowa 52101.

In one’s life, people have many chapters . Larry Schilling began his journey as a home birth on October 5, 1944 to his parents Bud and Althea Schilling in Dover, Ohio. Due to his parents’ strong encouragement, he yielded to his{sic} their wishes of working at his father’s car garage. Little did he know, Larry would develop a mechanical aptitude at a young age which would benefit him for the rest of his life. The garage service also came with compensation for his hard work- one tank of gas per week.

Academically astute and dutiful, he aided his older siblings in their homework while growing up in Albuquerque, NM. This knack also impressed his future wife, Sherry Smith, both in the classroom and on her parent’s farm (volunteer help is always welcome). Larry and Sherry were married on March 6, 1965. Opportunities for employment seemed to easily materialize for Larry. As an early teenager, he worked as a film projectionist at the local cinema and drive-in theater. Later, he secured a position with AT&T and remained employed with them for 30 years. Dedication, perseverance, and his mechanical background launched Larry to upper management. His AT&T employment was briefly interrupted by serving in the US Army with the 1st Calvary during the Vietnam Conflict.

Safely returned home from Vietnam, Kristy and Brian blessed Larry and Sherry’s lives. While frequently moving from coast to coast, due to work demands, Larry enjoyed pastimes like deep sea fishing for salmon, golfing, cross-country skiing, teaching Sunday School, organizing and coaching Brian’s many Special Olympic events. The tinkering, however, never stopped as he built Ford Mustangs from the tires up and erected elaborate model train tracks layouts and their landscapes. As an accomplished universal repairman, he immensely enjoyed all of the “to do list” items created by Sherry. Following his retirement from AT&T, he then worked for several telecommunication companies and a hydroelectric dam. Unfortunately, the “honey-do” list never stopped.

After much deliberation (as only a father can do when considering his daughter’s wellbeing), he gave consent for the marriage of Kristy and Phil (Yee). Because of this decision, Larry’s proudest moments began with the birth of his granddaughters Katelyn and Carina. In addition to these girls’ parents, Larry and Sherry had a pivotal role in raising (and spoiling) Katelyn and Carina. The grandparent experience fitted Larry well as he taught the girls the finer qualities of ice cream sundaes and picked them up at school on bicycles. He unfalteringly attended both girl’s numerous activities of plays, dances, music recitals, and sports events. Like a solo cheerleader, he could be often heard chanting the girls’ names. He passed on the art of marshmallow roasting for smores and the details of restoring “orphan” trains. On a glum day at school, he would offer a firm hug and used the “sad jar” to brighten a girl’s day. Chocolate, no doubt, was his favorite instrument against the girls’ “bummer” days. It was another of his teaching moment during a local auction that secure the girls’ first string instruments. The stories go on and on.

Stories end but the messages and teachings of his experiences seem ingrained in the people who have known his unique biography. Larry past away suddenly on December 11, 2017 from a heart attack. He is now not only with God and His eternal peace but also intertwined and immortalized through the people he has touched.

Larry is survived by his wife Sharon “Sherry”, Decorah, IA. Two children: Kristy (Phillip) Yee, Decorah, IA and Brian Schilling, Decorah, IA. Two grandchildren: Katelyn and Carine Yee. Siblings: Gloria Thurman, Phyllis Carter, Carolyn (Gerry) Nunnally, Tim (Carol) Schilling, all of Albuquerque, NM. Brothers-in-law: William (Nellie) Kitchell, Blackwell, MO and John (Stephanie) Kitchell, DeSoto, MO along with numerous nieces and nephews.

Larry was preceded in death by his parents: Henry “Bud” and Althea (Bayer) Schilling. Sister: Rita Sanchez. Brother: William Schilling. Father and mother-in-law: Earl and Alice “Bunnie” Smith. Brother-in-law: Thomas Kitchell.

Source: Schluter - Balik Funeral Home database

Winneshiek Obituaries maintained by Bruce Kuennen.
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