Click here to watch Vernon's liturgical wake service.

Click here to watch Vernon's Mass of Christian burial.

     Vernon “Vern” Schilling, 79, of Aberdeen, passed away Friday, August 25, 2017, at ManorCare Health Services in Aberdeen. He had bravely fought an aggressive brain cancer (Glioblastoma-multi-form), which made itself known with stroke-like symptoms in January, 2017.

     Mass of Christian burial will be 11:00 a.m., Friday, September 1, 2017, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 409 2nd Avenue NE, Aberdeen, with Father Grant Lacey as celebrant.

     Burial, with military rites, will take place at Sunset Memorial Gardens in Aberdeen.

     Schriver’s Memorial Mortuary and Crematory, 414 5th Avenue NW, Aberdeen, is in charge of arrangements.  Friends may sign Vernon’s online guestbook and also view his service via the live stream service link at www.schriversmemorial.com.

     Visitation will be 5:00-7:00 p.m., Thursday, at the mortuary with a liturgical wake service and rosary beginning at 7:00 p.m.  Visitation continues one hour before Mass at the church on Friday.  

     Vernon I. Schilling was born to Fred and Laura (Elliott) Schilling on February 7, 1938, in Faulkton SD.  He attended McDermid Country School in Hand County, SD, and Miller Grade School in 8th grade before graduating from Miller High School in 1956.

     Vern served his country in the US Army from 1959 to 1962.  He attended US Army Signal School in Fort Monmouth, NJ in 1960 and served in Korea.  Vern was honorably discharged in 1965.

     Vern was united in marriage to Amelia ”Millie” Weiss, May 13, 1961, at St Joseph’s Catholic Church in Orient SD. After a short time in Dallas TX, Vern and Millie made their home in Aberdeen SD and raised three wonderful children. In 1967, Vern started working for Office Equipment Company (now A&B Business) as a service technician, and spent the next 50 years providing excellent service to his customers. In the 60’s and 70’s, Vern and his family spent many weekends working on Millie’s parents’ farm. They lived in the same house for 48 years before downsizing 2 ½ years ago. Vern and Millie traveled extensively their entire married life together with family or friends. They were always going on a driving trip somewhere, and mapped out their route for maximum visiting with family or friends along the way. Vern loved his grandchildren, and with Millie, spent a lot of time traveling to see their grandchildren in whatever event was going on at the time, whether sports, music concerts, plays, etc. He also loved his dogs, and his doggie grandchildren, who always went for their leashes when they saw Grandpa coming up the front walk.

     Vern was a long-time member and servant at St Mary’s Catholic Church, member of the American Legion (26 years), Moose Lodge (36 years), long-time volunteer for the Girl Scouts, past member of the Jaycees, a league bowler for almost 40 years; he loved to golf, camp, boat, water ski, snow ski, bike, and he belonged to many card clubs (bridge & whist).

     Vern is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Millie Schilling of Aberdeen; his children: Denise (Jay) Neff, Frisco, Texas; Greg (Lori) Schilling, Omaha, Nebraska; and Kevin (Andrea) Schilling, Bloomington, Minnesota; two brothers Ivan Schilling, Gillette, WY and Harry (Alma) Schilling, Redfield, SD; one sister, Sarah Lembke, Glendale, AZ; six grandchildren: Andrew and Thom Cottingham, Matt, Kristen and Eric Schilling, and Alex Schilling; three step-grandchildren: Delany, Charlotte and Lincoln Moody; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

     Preceding Vern in death are his parents, Fred & Laura Schilling; two sisters, Hazel Peterson and Elsie Parker; three brothers-in-law, Bill Lembke, Pete Peterson and Lloyd Parker and one sister-in-law, Miriam Schilling.

     Vern’s family would like to thank the staff at ManorCare Health Services and Avera Hospice for all the love and care provided during his final months.