Mark D. Schilling

Intelligent, kind, caring and a good listener are just a few ways to describe Mark Schilling. He may have been an introvert, but randomly would have a good joke to throw at you. He had an undying love for everyone and was always there for you when needed. Mark may have had some constructive criticism, but he could always figure out what you were needing, give you advice and let you make your own choices. Living 31 years after receiving a kidney transplant, Mark was taken from his loving family and friends too soon.

Many memorable events took place in 1953 with the end of the Korean War and Queen Elizabeth II being crowned queen of England at the top of the world list. The first James Bond novel was published, the New York Yankees won their fifth World Series in a row, the first Corvette car went on sale, transistor radios started to appear for sale and the first color television sets were sold. For Robert and Esta (Springer) Schilling, at the top of their list, was the announcement of the birth of their son, Mark D. Schilling on July 1, 1953 as he was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Growing up in Fort Wayne, Mark was a typical boy of the time playing with neighborhood friends and riding his bicycle everywhere. He enjoyed going golfing with his dad and spending time during the summer at his grandparents' place on Sylvan Lake. Having musical talents, Mark enjoyed playing the guitar and performed in some garage bands and the group, Father Forest & the Trees.

After graduating from Bishop Luers High School with the Class of 1971, he furthered his education at Purdue University to receive a bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering. He worked over 30 years for Raytheon in Fort Wayne, until his retirement in 2013. During those years, he would marry a friend he had known for many years through the Catholic church. Christina M. Weigold and Mark first met in the early 80's through their love of music. They first recorded music together in 1985 and fate would reunite them later in life and the two would be married on September 14, 1996 at St. Paul of the Cross Catholic Church in Columbia City. Mark, who already was a father to Scott, Joseph and Emily would welcome two more children into he and Christina's marriage over the next few years, Dakota and Brayden.

Aside from being a loving husband and father, Mark loved music. He enjoyed listening to the Beatles and he was a great music teacher. He was an active member of St. Paul of the Cross Catholic Church. Over the years he had been a leader of the church's adult choir, youth choir, a youth leader, church pianist, singer, songwriter and teacher of music. Mark and his wife both were members of the contemporary Christian music group, PACEM. The group formed in the mid 1980's and played in many towns until 2000. Mark even had his own personal recording studio at his home on the lake, Big Cedar's Studio.

With a strong will to live, Mark overcame many kidney difficulties. On January 2, 1988, he had a kidney transplant and took care of that special gift the best he could. After multiple strokes over the past few months, he worked the best he could to start recovering from each one. Mark's body had gone through too much unfortunately and after only spending 12 hours at Visiting Nurse & Hospice Home, Mark D. Schilling passed away at 3:15 a.m. on Sunday, February 17, 2019 at the age of 65.

He is survived by his loving wife and best friend, Christina Schilling, of Big Cedar Lake; children, Scott (Kathleen) Schilling, of Churubusco, Joseph (Melissa) Schilling, of Brandon, Fla., Emily (Alan Cooper) Schilling, Dakota Schilling and Brayden Schilling, all of Columbia City; and six grandchildren, Broderick, Jack-Henry, Maddux, Lakyn, Ethan and Evelyn. He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Esta Schilling; and a sister, Debra Schilling.

A gathering of family and friends will be from 2:30-8 p.m. Wednesday, February 20, 2019 at DeMoney-Grimes, a Life Story Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City with a Rosary at 2 p.m. Mass of Christian burial will be 10 a.m. Thursday at St. Paul of the Cross Catholic Church, 315 S Line St, Columbia City with calling an hour prior. Father Gary Sigler will be officiating. Burial to follow at Thorn Cemetery. Memorial gifts may be given in Mark's memory to St. Paul of the Cross Catholic Church's Youth Choir. Visit www.demoneygrimes.com to send his family condolences online.