"Raymond Leon Schilling, resident of Fraser, died peacefully in his home surrounded by his loving family on May 5, 2018. He was 85 years of age. Ray fought a long courageous battle with Parkinson’s disease. Raymond was born on March 8, 1933 in Lockwood, Missouri, son of the late William and Dora (Eggerman) Schilling. His mother died shortly after his birth, so Raymond was taken into the home and hearts of his great uncle and aunt, William and Marie Bruchhaus. Raymond was baptized and confirmed in the Christian faith at Zion Lutheran Church, Lockwood(Meinert), MO. Desiring to serve his Lord in the teaching ministry, Ray attended St. John Jr. College, Winfield, Kansas and completed his education degree at Concordia Teacher’s College in River Forest, IL. He taught 12 years at St. Paul Lutheran School, Melrose Park, IL and served as librarian at Luther High School South, Chicago for 28 years. During that time, he earned a Master’s in education from Concordia and a Master’s in Library Science from Rosary College, River Forest. Raymond attended the one-room Lutheran School at Zion where he first met Lucille Marie Holtzen in the 1st and 2nd grades. Years later they reconnected as adults and were united in marriage on August 11, 1957 at Grace Lutheran Church, Lamar, MO. They made their home in Maywood, IL where they had a daughter and son. Ray lived his faith through his volunteer service to his church and community. He served many years as Sunday School superintendent, Maywood Library Board member and was active in AAL and the St. Paul Care Corp. Ray and Lucy were especially involved in the resettling of refugees in Chicago after the Vietnam War. For their work with refugee resettlement through Lutheran Immigration and 3 area Lutheran churches, Ray and Lucy along with Alinda, Hildegarde and Renata Weiss were thanked in Congress by U.S. Senator Paul Simon of IL. Ray and Lucy lovingly welcomed 2 foster sons from Vietnam into their family. Ray touched all with his gentle spirit, friendly nature and humble service to his Lord through the years. Ray considered his family among his greatest blessings. Following his retirement, and wanting to be near children and grandchildren, Ray and Lucy relocated to Fraser, MI in 1996. They loved attending their grandchildren’s music and sporting events. Ray continued his volunteerism at St. John Lutheran in Fraser where he was active in Evangelism, Stephen ministry, nursing home visiting and Lutherans for Life. Although Parkinson’s slowed him down it never took his humor and ready smile. We are truly grateful for Ray who taught us to be compassionate and giving by the life he led. He will be deeply missed. Raymond is the devoted husband of 60 years to Lucille; cherished father of Doris(Donald) August, Timothy(Rebecca) Schilling; Dr. Dan(Nicole) Schilling Nguyen and James(Yen) Tran; cherished grandfather of Amanda(Greg) Luft, Emily August, Nathan and Hannah Schilling, Bill and Jacob Nguyen and Philip, Raymond and William Tran; great-grandfather to Harper and Breslin Luft; dearest brother of Dorily(Ronald) Miller and the late Frances(John) Childers, Alice(Harley) Pyle and Gilbert Schilling: dear brother-in-law of Beverly Schilling and beloved uncle to many nieces and nephews. A Memorial Service will be held at St. John Lutheran Church on Saturday, May 19, 2018 at 2:00pm.with visitation with the family from 12 to 2:00pm.. Immediately following the service there will be a meal served in the cafeteria. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. John Lutheran Church, Lutherans for Life, Lutheran Heritage Foundation, Lutheran Child and Family Service of River Forest, IL, St. Paul Lutheran Care Corp of Melrose Park, IL or the Michigan Parkinson Foundation. A memorial service will be held at a later date at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Lockwood, MO with burial at Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Meinert, MO."

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