Obituary of Lionel Walter Schilling

Lionel Schilling

1939-2024

Surrounded by his loving family, Lionel Walter Schilling, age 85, of Fort St. John, B.C., died peacefully in hospital on November 17, 2024. Lionel was born May 9, 1939, the oldest child to Basil and Patricia (Slomke) Schilling in the rural area of South Gilles, near Thunder Bay, Ontario. An industrious worker from an early age, Lionel grew up helping with his family’s small sawmill where they milled and transported logs on the shores of Lake Superior. However, tales of the Klondike Gold Rush and the call of adventure led Lionel to embark on a life-altering voyage in 1959 to the Yukon Territory. Hired as a civilian labourer by the U.S. Army in the continued development of the Alaska Highway, Lionel spent his early years operating an array of heavy equipment over rugged terrain, including his beloved “cats,” and slept in “rustic” cabins with sod and moss roofs in harsh weather conditions. Here, he developed many life-long friendships, even getting to know a few of the individuals involved in the legendary manhunt for the Mad Trapper of Rat River. It was in Watson Lake that Lionel obtained his private pilot’s license, satisfying a life-long desire to fly small aircraft over the vast northern landscape.

Lionel married Eileen (Schell) Schilling in 1966 and relocated to B.C., where he lived and worked in various northern BC communities including Terrace, Prince George, and Williams Lake. He purchased his first semi-truck and trailer in 1973, and became a proud father to his daughter later that same year. In 1979, they settled in Taylor, BC, with Lionel hauling logs for local mills during the colder months, and gravel in the warmer season. In 1986, the family relocated to Fort St. John where Lionel continued his work in the forest industry. In 1992, Lionel met Judy Braun, who would be his partner for the next 32 years. In 1996 and 1998, Lionel’s pride in being a dedicated father was surpassed by his new role as grandfather. Lionel continued to work tirelessly for many years, transitioning to driving pilot truck in his later years. In the months prior to his death, Lionel toiled on his property, disassembling pieces of equipment he'd acquired over the years, and tidying his property for the coming winter.

Although Lionel traveled to Europe and South Korea in his lifetime, his favorite vacations were those spent driving across the Yukon and Northwest Territories, and Alaska, (“God’s Country”). Lionel's unwavering dedication to hard work, his passion for reading non-fiction and restoring International Harvester tractors, his inventive spirit, and his love for country and bluegrass music were matched only by his steadfast commitment to his many friends—and most of all, by his deep devotion to his family. When Lionel actually stopped to relax, he could often be found with a young granddaughter or a niece or nephew’s child on his knee. While his massive “mitts” for hands, hardened by eight decades of hard work, were infamous, it is his enormous heart and gentle, generous nature that will be remembered most by those who knew him.

Lionel is preceded by his mother, father, brother Tony Hayward, and sister Laura Schilling. He will be forever missed by his wife Judy Braun, daughter Tanya (Brad) Anderson, granddaughters Kelsey Seath, Kaitlyn Seath, sister Jean Lankinen, brother Charlie Schilling, sister Amy Schilling, step-grandchildren Mackenzie (Kyle) Shannon (and son Jack Anderson), and Wyatt Anderson, and countless Schilling, Slomke, and Braun family members. The family would like to express their gratitude to Dr. W. Brussow, Dr. C. Loomes, and the staff at the Fort St. John Hospital for their expert and compassionate care in Lionel’s final weeks.

Donations can be made in memory of Lionel to the Foothills Country Hospice Society in Okotoks, AB - Click Here to donate or to the Fort St. John Palliative Society  - Click Here to donate. 

A Memorial Service for Lionel will be held at the Fort St. John Senior's Hall on Thursday, November 28, 2024 at 4:00 PM