Ralph H. Schilling
Ralph H. Schilling
Mr. Ralph Schilling of rural Okawville, departed this life in Memorial Hospital West in Belleville, on Wednesday, November 29, 2017 at 3:30 P.M. He had attained the age of 90 years, 2 months and 6 days.
Ralph was born on the family farm near Okawville on September 23, 1927 the son of William and Louise “Lulu” (nee Frederking) Schilling. He was united in marriage to Cornelia Sprehe in the St. John Lutheran Church in New Minden, on January 20, 1951 and she survives his passing.
Mr. Schilling was stationed in Germany with the 101st Airborne, 2nd Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment in the United States Army. He qualified as a Pistol Marksman and won many Army shooting competitions. In September of 1952 he was the top Marksman in the entire 8th Infantry Regiment.
Ralph was a life-long farmer and had farmed right up until this past Monday night. He was a faithful member of the Olive Branch Lutheran Church in rural Okawville where he had held several church offices and served on various committees. Mr. Schilling was also a former member of the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Okawville where he served on various committees and had served as a member of the Immanuel Lutheran School Board. Ralph was a past member of the Okawville Community Club and had served on the Wheat Festival Parade Committee for several years. He was also an accomplished woodworker.
Left to mourn his passing is his wife of nearly 67 years, Cornelia Schilling of Okawville; four children, Danita Frederking and husband Jerry of Nashville, Rodney Schilling and wife Tami of Okawville, Angela Chappell and husband Terry of Salem, and Tina Dace and husband Stan of Okawville; three sisters, Norma Bultman of Okawville, Darlene Lashley of Oxnard, Calif., and LaVera Tubbs of Mascoutah; eight grandchildren, Brandon Frederking and wife Stacey, Breck Kramper and husband Justin, Taylor Walton, Lane Schilling, Stacey Aschenbeck and husband Keith, Kyle Chappell and wife Amanda, Hillary Chappell and Cullen Dace; eight great grandchildren, Maylan and Ryerson Kramper, Trey, Kaleb, Micah and Anna Aschenbeck, Emmy Chappell and Ella Dace; several nieces and nephews, other relatives and a host of friends.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two sisters, Mildred Bultman and Esther Nottmeyer and a grandson, Heston Schilling.
Funeral services will be held from the Olive Branch Lutheran Church in rural Okawville on Monday, December 4, 2017 at 10 A.M. with Pastor Roger Drinnon officiating. Interment will be in the church cemetery.
Friends may call at the Campagna Funeral Home in Okawville on Sunday from 4 P.M. until 8 P.M. and at the Olive Branch Lutheran Church on Monday from 9 A.M. until the service hour.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, the Olive Branch Lutheran Church, Immanuel Lutheran School or Immanuel Wee Care and will be accepted by the Campagna Funeral Home. Online expressions of sympathy may be made at www.campagnafuneralhomes.com
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