Milton Wesley Schilling Jr., 83, of Daniel,
passed away at his home on April 26 of natural
causes. Milt was born April 27, 1935, in
Prentice, Wis., to Milton and Otilla Schilling.
He did his early schooling and was raised in
Prentice and graduated from Prentice High
School. He worked as a “Fantastic Lumber
Beast” in his younger years. He served his
country in the United States Army in Okinawa.
He was a dog handler and was always
proud of his military service. He married
Donna Freestone in August of 1961.
After his military service, Milt moved to
Big Piney in 1962 where he worked for the
Mickelsons and multiple other ranches. He
and Donna had four daughters there. Milt
started a business, Milt’s Construction, which
he worked throughout the years. He was also
owner of the Burger Barn, where he was the
fry cutter and chief cook. After Donna’s death
in January of 1999, Milt married Edna Holladay
July 3, 1999, in Pinedale.
Milt was an all-around cowboy and ranch
hand and also known as the gentle giant. He
loved slaw dogs at the GRB. He was loved by
animals and humans, alike. He was an active
Lutheran throughout his life and liked to hunt
and fish.
Milt is preceded in death by his parents
Milton Sr. and Otilla Schilling, brother Ron
Schilling, daughters Bobbi Jo and Barbara
Jean, grandson Matthew Griffin, granddaughter
Kelsey Rodda, mother-in-law Lavena
Dobbs, father-in-law Ed Holladay and wife
Donna Schilling.
He is survived by wife Edna; daughters
Shirley (Fred) Licking and Bev (Todd) Stevie;
sisters Beverly Olson, Judy Rux, Sally
Christian, and Julia Schilling; brother Joe
Schilling; Erika (Rich) Taylor, Lavena Garland,
Sarah Rodda and Charlie Godfrey and
many nieces, nephews, grandchildren and
great-grandchildren.
A viewing took place Tuesday evening at
Covill Funeral Home. A graveside service
was conducted at the Plainview Cemetery in
Big Piney on Wednesday, May 1, and a reception
followed at the Southwest Sublette
County Pioneers Center.
