Professional Funeral Staff Schilling Funeral Home

Our Family Serving Your Family!

*MEET OUR STAFF* John Schilling John Paul Schilling Sara Schilling Mark Schilling Mary Hurley-Ackert Cleone Freas Lyle Freas Merle Heckman Bill Simister Larry Helgason Chuck Haines Marion Zemke
	John Schilling John is a second generation funeral director and a life-long resident of Whiteside County. He is a 1965 graduate of Erie High School. He attended Blackhawk College in Moline and graduated from the Wisconsin Institute of Mortuary Science. John is owner of Schilling Funeral Home since the purchase of Melvin Funeral Home in 1975. He is a member of the National Fueral Directors Association (NFDA), Illinois Funeral Directors Association (IFDA), and Order of the Golden Rule (OGR). He is also a standing member of the following community organizations: International-Sterling Noon Rotary; Loyal Order of Moose-Sterling Lodge #726, B.P.O.E-Sterling/Rock Falls Elks Lodge #1218, Ancient Free & Accepted Masons of Illinois - Rock River Lodge No. 612; Order of Eastern Star Chapter # 354; and Gyros International. John also serves as Vice Chairman of the Board at Sterling Federal Bank in Sterling. John, and his wife Sara, are the parents of two sons, John Paul and Mark. John is a member of the First Congregational Church in Sterling..
	John Paul Schilling John Paul is the only third generation funeral director of Whiteside County. He is a 1993 graduate of Sterling High School and a graduate of Worsham College of Mortuary Science. John Paul served his apprenticeship in 1999 for one year under Richard W. Schilling (Lee County Coroner & owner of Preston-Schilling Funeral Home). John Paul is a member of the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA), Illinois Funeral Directors Association (IFDA), an accepted member of the American College of Forensic Examiners, and successfully completed the Medicolegal Death Investigators training course at St. Louis University School of Medicine. He is a member of First Congregational Church in Sterling. He is engaged to Sonia Sotelo of Rock Falls, and they have a daughter Gabriella Rose Schilling, and a son John Paul Schilling jr.
	Sara Schilling Sara is the wife of John Schilling, having been married since 1970. Sara has been active in the funeral home as Pre-Need Counselor and holds an Insurance License. Over the years, she has been active in the community in several organizations including: Order of Eastern Star-Sterling Chapter #354; past-President of the Sterling/Rock Falls/Whiteside County Republican Women's Club; past-Vice President of the Sterling High School Athletic Booster Club; American Cancer Society; CGH Medical Center - Auxiliary; and a member of the FIrst Congregational Church in Sterling. Sara enjoys playing the Yamaha Clavinova and providing families with special recordings for funeral services.
	Mark Schilling Mark is a 1997 graduate of Sterling High School. Mark attended Sauk Valley Community College and Anoka College in Anoka, Minnesota. Mark has been actively involved with the funeral home since 1993. Mark is a member of the First Congregational Church in Sterling.
	Mary Hurley-Ackert Mary is a 1992 graduate of Sterling High School and a graduate of the Worsham College of Mortuary Science. She has been employed here at the funeral home since 1991. Mary is the daughter of John & Lupe Hurlery of Sterling. Mary and her husband, Jeff, have one daughter, Molly. Mary and her family are active members of the St. Mary's Catholic Church in Walton, IL.
	Cleone Freas Cleone is a 1960 graduate of Rock Falls High School and has an Associates in Applied Science Degree in Secretarial obtained from Sauk Valley Community College. She has been employed as secretary and receptionist at the funeral home since March of 1998. She is married to Lyle Freas and their blended family includes five children, 13 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. She is an active member of Berean Baptist Church in Rock Falls.
	Lyle Freas Lyle is a 1964 graduate of Sterling High School and is employed at the funeral home part-time. He is a retired semi-truck driver from Northwestern Steel & Wire Co. Lyle is married to Cleone Freas. He is also an active member of Berean Baptist Church.
	Merle Heckman Merle is a 1960 graduate of Sterling High School. He was a machinist, and training coordinator for Northwestern Steel & Wire Co., retiring in 1999 after 25 years of service.Merle and his wife, Sandra, have been happily married for 35 years. They are members of the Church of Christ in Sterling.
	Bill Simister Bill is a 1953 graduate of Rock Falls High School, and a 1958 graduate of ISU with a (Bachelor of Science Degree) in education. Bill is a retired teacher of 35 years and taught in Prophetstown for the last 25 years. Bill and his wife, Pat, have been happily married for 36 years. Bill is a member of the Retired Teachers' Association, the Rock River Country Club and the Rock Falls Methodist Church.
	Larry Helgason Larry Helgason is a graduate of Rock Falls High School, a Graduate of Stout State University, and National Louis University with a Masters in Curriculum. Larry retired from Rock Falls High School after 34 years as a teacher, and coach. He is a member of the Rock Falls Optimist Club, and the Sterling American Legion Post #296. Larry and his wife Barb have been happily married for 34 years.
	Marion Zemke Marion Zemke is a 1959 Graduate of Milledgeville High School. He is a member of Community Baptist Church of Milledgeville, the Carroll County Sheriffs Auxiliary, and the American Legion post 553 Milledgeville. Marion is retired from the Wysox township Road Commissioner position, and has been happily married to his wife Beverly since 1967.
	Chuck Haines Chuck is a 1949 graduate of Polo High School. He is a member of Rock River Valley Barbershopers, an East Jordan Church. Chuck has farmed in the Penrose area for many years and retired from Dana Corporation in 1997. Chuck has been happily married to his wife, Charlette, since 1956.