Frank Thomas Schilling's Obituary
Frank “Skip” Thomas Schilling, 72, of Lakewood Washington rejoined his father in heaven on May 22, 2018 at 8:30am after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease in Redmond Washington. He was surrounded by his wife for all eternity and their children. Frank was born in Hollywood California on June 2nd 1945, the third of four sons born to Joseph Hodgson Schilling and Ardath Leavitt (Van Arsdall) Schilling.
Frank joined the Army on April 29th 1967 and shortly thereafter met his beautiful bride, Sondra Lindsey, in Big Bear Lake California; the two were married March 9th 1968. Frank was deployed to fight in the Vietnam War in 1969.
Upon returning from his tour in Vietnam, Frank re-joined his wife at Ft. Sill in Oklahoma and they were sealed in the LDS Temple for time and all eternity. Eventually, the couple were stationed at Ft. Lewis in Lakewood Washington and Frank transferred into the Army Reserves in 1975. As a civilian, he worked for the American Lake VA as a Biomedical Engineer. Frank and Sondra had 3 children. He was recalled back to active duty for the Army and was deployed to Desert Storm in 1990. Frank was honorably discharged from the military as a Chief Warrant Officer 4 on September 22nd 1994 and retired from the American Lake VA in 1998.
Frank was an active member of the Lakewood Community, volunteering with the Pierce County Police department, and eventually founded the McChord Area Managers Association (MAMA). He was a humble servant of our Lord and a member of the McChord Ward, Lakewood, WA Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, where he served as Bishop from 1988 until his deployment as part of Desert Storm in 1991.
Frank accomplished so much in this life. For his service in Vietnam, he was awarded the Bronze Star for heroic achievement. He was a charismatic man and described as “larger than life.” His love for God, his church, his country, his wife, and his children was evident in everything that Frank did.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Joseph H. and Ardath Schilling, his eldest brother Joseph R. Schilling, and his younger brother, Glenn Schilling. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Sondra, his eldest daughter Simone McCall and granddaughter Mackenzie McCall of Vancouver Washington, his middle daughter Staff Sergeant Eugennie Cochran and her husband Sergeant Cory Cochran of Olympia Washington, his son John Isaac Schilling and his wife Laurel Schilling of Woodinville Washington, and his brother John F. Schilling of Mesa Arizona. Numerous nieces and nephews that lovingly refer to him as “Uncle Skip.”
The funeral for Bishop Frank T. Schilling will be held Saturday June 2 @ 2pm in the American Lake LDS Building (5420 104th St SW, Lakewood, WA 98499 -the Bridgeport building). There will be a viewing prior to the service at 1:30pm for anyone that would wish to join the family. An interment will follow the service with military honors at 3:30pm at Mountain View Funeral Home 4100 Steilacoom Blvd SW, Lakewood, WA 98499. A potluck reception will be held back at the American Lake Building (5420 104th St SW, Lakewood, WA 98499) after the burial. Flowers can be sent to either location.
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