ERNEST ROBERT SCHILLING

Ernest Robert (Bob) Schilling, second to youngest of seven children, was born January 30, 1926 to Sherman and Anna (Koeppen) Schilling near Lytton, Iowa. Bob passed away June 16, 2018 peacefully in his home in Diagonal, Iowa.
Bob grew up on a farm near Lytton, Iowa where he helped his mom while going to school, as she had been widowed in 1929. Bob graduated from the Lytton High School in 1944. Shortly after his graduation he joined the Navy during World War II, and was honorably discharged in 1946. After the Navy, Bob returned home to help on the family farm. This continued until sometime after he was united in marriage to Betty Jo Means on February 2, 1956. To this union, four children were born, Linda Sue, Charles Wayne, Karen Marie and Emilie May.
Bob and Betty farmed their 160 acres near Jolley, Iowa for 22 years, where they raised their four children. In August of 1979 they moved to Rainier, Oregon near the Pacific coast. They lived there enjoying their early retirement years, especially visiting the ocean and hiking mountain trails. In August of 1997 they moved back to Iowa, making their home in Diagonal.
Bob was a handyman, one that could build or fix about anything. He helped many people around their homes with plumbing, heating, building and repairing many things. He also enjoyed the garden work, especially in his later years when he had time to work in it with his wife, Betty. Bob was a kind, caring and patient Dad/man that was loved by everyone who got to know him. He had a great concern for his family and a good sense of humor even through to his last day.
Bob was preceded in death by his dear wife, Betty, of just over 60 years; his parents Sherman and Anna Schilling; parents-in-law, Jabe and Goldie Means; sisters, Emilie Schilling and Irene Hartling; brothers, Albert, Charles and Warren Schilling; sisters-in-law, Mary Schilling, Pauline Olson, Edna Porter and Phyllis and Janie Means; brothers-in-law, Homer (Blue) Hartling, Dean Jones, Leonard Olson, Ralph and Kenneth Means, Merle (Mike) Meusburger, John Porter and Jim Routh.
Bob is survived by his children: Linda Herriges and husband Doane of Kelso, Washington, Charles Schilling and wife Bonnie of Butte, Montana, Karen Larsen and husband Ray Dean of Clearfield, Iowa and Emilie Garcia and husband Ern of Everett, Washington; grandchildren Bret Herriges, Robert Larsen, Kimberly Brammer and husband Aaron, Amanda Githaiga and husband Stanley, Michael Garcia, Bethanie, Benjamin David and Anna Schilling; adopted grandchildren from Ethiopia Alex, Joshua, Bethlehem, Sarah and Samuel Schilling; great grandchildren Rylan, Brody and Avalynn Larsen, Carter, Alana and Robert Adrian Brammer and Lillianna Githaiga; sister Gladys Hickman and husband Al; sisters-in-law Jessie Meusburger and Sharon Routh; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, special neighbors and friends.
No services were held in honor of his wishes.