Jay Schilling
Jefferson, Iowa
Date of Death: June 26, 2010

Funeral services for Jay Schilling, 82, of Jefferson, will be 10:30am Tuesday June 29, 2010 at the Gospel Open Bible Church, Jefferson, Iowa.  Interment will be in Franklin Twp Cemetery, Greene County, Iowa.

Jay Schilling was born to James and Lola Schilling on September 9, 1927 on the family farm south of Cooper in Greene County, Iowa.  Because of his disability, he lived with his parents except for a few of his teenage years when he attended the Boone Biblical College.  He lived many years in Lake City with his parents who were pastors.  After their death he lived in residential care facilities in Boone, Cedar Lane Estates, the Harrison House, and finally the Regency Park Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. Jay was preceded in death by his parents, Jim and Lola Schilling, his sisters Lois Wind and Irene Schimming, his brother-in-laws John E. Wind and Ben Schimming, and two nephews, John M. Wind and Mark Schimming. He leaves to mourn his brother, James Schilling of Bend Oregon, nephew, Tom (Sue) Wind of Jefferson and children Jeremy, Marieta (Pat Boberg), and Chris Wind, niece Janet (Gregg) McMullen of Chandler, AZ and children Tyler and Walker and John M. Wind’s children, Laura (Rob Norton), Lisa and Brian Wind, and two great nieces, Robin and Morgan Norton and many other cousins and friends.

Jay was known for his great zest for life.  He always enjoyed going out to eat with friends.  After finishing his meal (and of course a large iced tea) he would often say “That was the best meal I ever had!”  It seemed he never met a stranger and because of that if you wanted to get news out all you had to do was just tell Jay.  He would be sure to tell the news (at least once) to everyone he met.  Because of his disabilities, people showed him many kindnesses for which he always expressed his sincere appreciation.  Teasing and being teased always brought a hearty laugh and big smile from Jay.  If you mentioned to Jay that you saw one of his friends he would often ask “Did they ask about me?” or “Were they thinking about me?”   Although Jay could not make change for a quarter, he could rattle off not only the year, month, and day of any important event in his life, but quite amazingly the day of the week and often the exact time. 

Jays parents, were pastors most of their life and they imbued in Jay a deep love of church and God.  As a result, Jay’s life centered on the Jefferson Gospel Open Bible Church and its members were his extended family.  He was active, loyal, and enthusiastic about spreading the word of God’s love and salvation to anyone.  Jay had no inhibition when it came to singing hymns, clapping hands, and answering the pastor’s rhetorical questions in the sermon.   At three chapters per day, Jay read the Bible front to back countless times.  Above all else, Jay loved Jesus…and it showed…Jay was not ashamed of this and he wanted everyone to know the love of Jesus.  Jay’s goal in living was to be able take as many people with him to heaven as he could.   We believe that God really loved Jay Schilling.