Roger E. Schilling Sr., age 78 of the Township of Belle Plaine, passed away on September 9, 2020 at his home surrounded by loved ones.
Roger Evan Schilling was born September 12, 1941 in Shawano, WI, son to the late Evan and Inez (Nordwig) Schilling. He grew up on the family farm in Pella, WI. After school, Roger served his country in the U.S. Army and the Army National Guard from 1958 to 1966. He was united in marriage to Carolyn (Perleberg); the couple had three children, and were later divorced. He later married Kathy Anthes Cochran and was a father additionally to three step-daughters; the couple later divorced. He then married Melody Songs on September 8, 1984 at Olen Park in Clintonville. Throughout his life, Roger farmed, operated heavy equipment, and owned a lawn care business. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, bowling, shooting pool, playing cards, polka music, dancing, snowmobiling, and drinking Old Style Beer and smoking his Lucky Strikes.
Roger is survived by his wife, Melody; daughters, Lori Schilling, Cloverleaf Lakes and Lisa Hall, Phoenix, AZ; son, Roger (Margaret) Schilling Jr., Clintonville; step-daughters: Connie (Scott) Allaire, Elcho; Bonnie (Mark) Labrosse, Clintonville; and Shari Cochran, Bear Creek; grandchildren: Ryan (Kristy) Silva, Katie (Chris) Silva, Mark (Rachel) O’Connor, Crystal (Andre) O’Connor, Keisha (Jayme) Hall, Preston Hall, Ashlee (Stephen) Shepherd, and Gabby (Javi) Gonzalez; 11 great-grandchildren with one more on the way; sister, Sheila Schilling; brothers: Bob, Randy, Pete, and Chuck Schilling; and good friends, Lynnaa Mack and Kevin Eulrich. Roger was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Tom and Dennis Schilling; a brother-in-law, Dean Songs; and mother-in-law, Jeanette Songs.
A graveside service, military honors and urn burial will be held 11 a.m., Saturday, September 26, 2020 at Bethesda Cemetery, with the Rev. Jill Meyer officiating. Military honors will be conducted by VFW Post #664, American Legion Post #63, and American Legion Auxiliary Unit #63, all of Clintonville. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Rogers’ name are preferred to be directed to the family. The Eberhardt-Stevenson Funeral Home & Crematory, Clintonville is assisting the Schilling family. An online guestbook is available at eberhardtstevenson.com.