Brought to you by Millard Family Funeral Chapels
Donald Schilling
Columbia, Missouri
December 27, 1935 - July 10, 2026
Share a memory
Donald Schilling Obituary
Donald John Schilling, 90, of Columbia, Missouri, passed away on July 10, 2026.
Don was born December 27, 1935, in Cloquet, Minnesota. He lost his father, Albert
Schilling, when he was just seven years old, and was raised by his mother, Camilla
Schilling, in Duluth, Minnesota, and later Spokane, Washington. Don held immense
admiration for his mother, who worked as a nurse in tuberculosis units while raising him as
a single mother.
After graduating high school, Don worked as a bank teller in Spokane, where he discovered
a passion for economics that would shape the course of his life. He went on to earn his
undergraduate degree in Economics from Washington State University, then traveled
across the country to North Carolina, where he earned his Ph.D. in Economics from the
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. It was in North Carolina that he met his future
wife Sally.
Don and Sally were married on August 18, 1962. The couple moved to Columbia, Missouri,
where Don accepted a teaching position with the Economics Department at the University
of Missouri, beginning a long career devoted to teaching. During his tenure he enjoyed the
camaraderie with his colleagues and staff.
Music was a lifelong passion for Don. A talented oboe and English horn player, he
performed with the Washington State Symphony, the University of North Carolina
Symphony, the Jefferson City Symphony, the Columbia Civic Orchestra, and, in the later
years of his musical career, the Columbia Community Band.
While Don found great fulfillment in teaching his students, his greatest joy was raising his
two sons. He was deeply involved in their lives — cheering them on in their sports, teaching
them to hunt, and instilling in them a lifelong appreciation for financial literacy.
Don was preceded in death by his father and mother, Albert and Camilla.
He is survived by his wife, Sally B. Schilling; his sons, Robert R. Schilling (Ronda J. Schilling)
and John D. Schilling; and his grandchildren, Tayler, Mason, Jack, and Allison.
Visitation will be Friday July 17, 2026, 10:00a.m. with Service at 11:00a.m. at Parker-Millard Funeral Service & Crematory, burial at Columbia Cemetery immediately following.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Daniel Boone Regional Library Foundation P.O. Box 7113 Columbia, MO 65205 or The Columbia Community Band P.O. Box 7254 Columbia, MO 65205
Arrangements are under the direction of Parker-Millard Funeral Service & Crematory, 12 East Ash Street, Columbia, MO 65203 (573) 449-4153. Condolences may be left online for the family at www.millardfamilychapels.com
To send flowers to the family of Donald, please visit our floral store.
Donald John Schilling, 90, of Columbia, Missouri, passed away on July 10, 2026.
Don was born December 27, 1935, in Cloquet, Minnesota. He lost his father, Albert
Schilling, when he was just seven years old, and was raised by his mother, Camilla
Schilling, in Duluth, Minnesota, and later Spokane, Washington. Don held immense
admiration for his mother, who worked as a nurse in tuberculosis units while raising him as
a single mother.
After graduating high school, Don worked as a bank teller in Spokane, where he discovered
a passion for economics that would shape the course of his life. He went on to earn his
undergraduate degree in Economics from Washington State University, then traveled
across the country to North Carolina, where he earned his Ph.D. in Economics from the
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. It was in North Carolina that he met his future
wife Sally.
Don and Sally were married on August 18, 1962. The couple moved to Columbia, Missouri,
where Don accepted a teaching position with the Economics Department at the University
of Missouri, beginning a long career devoted to teaching. During his tenure he enjoyed the
camaraderie with his colleagues and staff.
Music was a lifelong passion for Don. A talented oboe and English horn player, he
performed with the Washington State Symphony, the University of North Carolina
Symphony, the Jefferson City Symphony, the Columbia Civic Orchestra, and, in the later
years of his musical career, the Columbia Community Band.
While Don found great fulfillment in teaching his students, his greatest joy was raising his
two sons. He was deeply involved in their lives — cheering them on in their sports, teaching
them to hunt, and instilling in them a lifelong appreciation for financial literacy.
Don was preceded in death by his father and mother, Albert and Camilla.
He is survived by his wife, Sally B. Schilling; his sons, Robert R. Schilling (Ronda J. Schilling)
and John D. Schilling; and his grandchildren, Tayler, Mason, Jack, and Allison.
Visitation will be Friday July 17, 2026, 10:00a.m. with Service at 11:00a.m. at Parker-Millard Funeral Service & Crematory, burial at Columbia Cemetery immediately following.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Daniel Boone Regional Library Foundation P.O. Box 7113 Columbia, MO 65205 or The Columbia Community Band P.O. Box 7254 Columbia, MO 65205
Arrangements are under the direction of Parker-Millard Funeral Service & Crematory, 12 East Ash Street, Columbia, MO 65203 (573) 449-4153. Condolences may be left online for the family at www.millardfamilychapels.com
To send flowers to the family of Donald, please visit our floral store.