Don Schilling, 77, was born on April 16, 1925 to Wesley and Lillian (Breymaier) Schilling in Toledo,Ohio. He was baptized and confirmed at First St.Mark Lutheran Church in what is now Oregon, OH. He attended Coy School and graduated from Clay High School, where he was in Glee Club, band, and played football, in 1943. Don joined the US. Navy in 1943 and served through the end of World War II, his last assignment was on the aircraft carrier USS Lexington where he was a pharmacist mate. On returning to Oregon, he attended Toledo University, and also bought a farm in Ottawa County. On January 3,1948 Don married Dorothy (Eteau) at First St.Mark. They moved to the farm in December of 1949 and have lived there for 53 years. He died at St.Vincent Hospital on Saturday, December 21, 2002, after a lengthy stay at St.Charles Hospital and one day at Arbors of Toledo. Surviving are his wife Dorothy and children John (Randi), Centerville, OH, Eric (Sallie) Bowling Green, OH, Lincoln (Anne), Greene, NY, Raymond (Lori), Maple Heights, OH, Christine Burr, Oak Harbor, OH, Analee Moffitt (Doug), Findlay and Oak Harbor, and Mary Allen (Randy), Oak Harbor. Also surviving are 13 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. He was preceeded in death by his father and mother. Mr. Schilling worked as a farmer after the war. He also worked at the Toledo shipyards, and Erie Ordnance in the winter. In 1953 he became a heavy equipment operator and worked at building the expressways and turnpike in northwestern Ohio. Don was a retired member of the Operating Engineers Local #18. He worked for Jeffers Crane Service, Fondessys, and many other construction companies. He also ran a landfill in Sandusky County for several years, and later was employed by BFI in Ottawa County. After retiring due to health problems he started his own business "The Buckle Bars" selling belt buckles and leather goods at festivals, flea markets, and fairs during the summer months. In the winter he set up shop first at Toledo Trade Market, then at Woodland Mall in Bowling Green for two years,and the last four years at Woodville Mall in Northwood. Don was known as the "Buckle Man". He closed out his business at the end of April and retired again. Don joined St.John Lutheran Church, Rocky Ridge, OH in 1952 where he has been on Church Council, he sang in the choir for many years, and also was choir director for some years. He was a lifetime member of VFW Post #8732 and American Legion Post # 114 in Oak Harbor, OH. For many years starting in 1947 he was a member of the Toledo Repertoire Theater where he built sets, was stage manager, Slirected one-act and childrens theater, and also was an actor in many plays. Don is most remembered for playing the Andy Griffith role of Will Stockdale in "No Time for Sergeants". He also played this role in the Waterville Playshop production. In 1985 he joined the Genoa Civic Theater where he again built sets, designed sets, was stage manager, and directed plays for many years. He was presently serving on the Theater board, and had recently help1with the set of "The Pinchpenny Phantom of the Opera" He will be missed by many. Funeral services will be conducted Friday, December27 at 12:00 noon at St. John Lutheran Church, Rocky Ridge. Friends may call in the Eggleston-Meinert Funeral Home, Woodville Road Chapel, 1111 Woodville Road, where visitation will be Thursday from 2 to 9 p.m. Additional visiting will begin at the church on Friday beginning at 10am. and continue until services at noon. Veterans of Foreign Wars services will be Thursday at 7:00 pm. Interment will be private, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to either St.John Lutheran Church, the Genoa Civic Theater, or a charity of your choice. Visitation: Visitation Times