Joseph D. Schillinger

Joseph David Schillinger, 85, of Geneseo, passed away Monday, November 07, 2016, at Unity Point Health-Trinity, Rock Island. A funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 12th at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 8948 N. 1900 Ave., Geneseo. Burial will follow at the St. John’s Cemetery. A time for seeing Joe’s family, sharing memories, and lunch will follow until 2:00 p.m. at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to his church for trees or plantings on the church grounds or to the Geneseo International Thanksgiving Fellowship Program, of which Joe and his family have participated in since 1963. They hosted over 100 guests in their farm home. Vandemore Funeral Homes and Crematory is assisting the family with arrangements.

Joe was born in a Coal Valley farm home on August 7, 1931. The first child of a family of six, to Ferd and Grace (Kilby) Schillinger, Joe grew up learning and loving farming and family. He graduated in 1949 from Orion High School. He was united in marriage to Margo Betcher on November 27, 1955. They continued farming and were blessed with a family of three children. He loved feeding cattle and talking with other cattlemen and farmers, always learning.

He learned to weld, finding a way to repair most anything. He enjoyed his family. In later years, he had time to watch ball games, do crossword puzzles and jigsaw puzzles, visit shut-ins, and attend bible studies. He was an excellent speller and never met a stranger.

Surviving are his wife, Margo, sons, Kem (Linda), and Drew D. (Cathy) Schillinger, Geneseo, daughter, Susan (Michael) Church, Nashville, TN, grandchildren, Joseph J. and Ben Schillinger, Geneseo, Erin Schillinger, Moline, IL, Katie (Zach) Bryant, Washington, NE, Brittany Church, New York City, NY, and Scott Church, Chicago, IL. His step-grandchildren are Richard Denkmann, Geneseo, and Lisa Bear, NC. His brothers are John, Moline, Il,  Richard (Diane), Lynn Center, IL and sisters, Carol (Bob) Reese, Sunny (Jim) Moorhusen, both of Cordova, IL, and Sharon (Lon) Pirkl, Geneseo.

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