Virgil Melvin Schildt, 71, of Lincoln, died at Ridgewood Rehabilitation & Care Center in Seward on Friday afternoon, Dec. 29, 2023, surrounded by his loving family.
Virgil was born April 15, 1952, in Eugene, Oregon, to Melvin and Viola Schildt. Virgil attended grade school in Garland and graduated from Seward High School, where he had a love of baseball and made many close lifelong friends. Virgil joined the United States Army in 1974. He was stationed in Hawaii until he was honorably discharged in 1978. Virgil joined the United States Army National Guard in 1982, where he served 16 years and retired a proud veteran. Virgil moved to Lincoln after returning home from Hawaii, where he bought a house and started a family. Virgil was married in 1982 to Shirley Joyce Janssen.
Virgil worked and retired after 35+ years of being a letter carrier for the United States Postal Service. He worked hard and took great pride in providing for his family, often working two jobs throughout his children’s upbringing. Virgil made sure that his family experienced and enjoyed family vacations every few years to Walt Disney World in Florida. Virgil had a passion for bowling most of his life. He was a great bowler and enjoyed his weekly bowling leagues and going to tournaments all over the country to compete. Virgil enjoyed watching sports, especially baseball (Go Cardinals), going up to the casinos in Iowa where he always seemed to win money and rarely lost it, enjoyed visiting his family out at the farm and was a longtime member of the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Seward.
Virgil was a member of the American Legion Post #369 in Garland. He enjoyed taking part in various events at the legion such as Easter egg hunts, tending bar and military activities. In his later years, he cherished visits from his granddaughters and hearing about their activities, and always made sure to check in with his kids to provide help or resources any way he could.
Survivors cherishing his memory include two daughters, Barbara Palmer and husband, Adam Palmer of Lincoln and Lisa Hilzer and husband, Taylor Hilzer of Lincoln; one son, Aaron Schildt of Lincoln; two granddaughters, Lexi and Nora Palmer; one sister, Gloria Prochnow of Pleasant Dale; one sister-in-law, Mildred Radebaugh Warren of Lincoln; nieces, Teresa Prochnow of Pleasant Dale, Dr. Julie Fletcher and wife, Shelley Fletcher of Hastings; nephews, David Prochnow of Pleasant Dale, Mark Prochnow and wife, Michelle Prochnow of Pleasant Dale, Joel Fletcher and wife, Karen Vinella of Great Falls, Virginia, and Barry Radebaugh and wife, Karen Radebaugh of Lincoln; and numerous cousins and extended family.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Shirley J Janssen; parents, Melvin A. and Viola M. (Vollstedt) Schildt; sister-in-law, Violet E. Fletcher; and brothers-in-law, Roger Prochnow, Bob Warren, Harold Radebaugh and Jerry Fletcher.
A Celebration of Life was Jan. 6 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Seward with inurnment at the church cemetery. Memorial contributions are suggested to the Garland American Legion Post #369. Arrangements by Zabka-Perdue Funeral Home.
