" My sympathy to the Schiltz family! I know that it was a blessing to be neighbors to your family. Your mom and dad have a special place in my heart. I remember how your mom used to say how great it was that I have a Mike, Tom and Pat in my family and so do you. And she was right! And I loved seeing your dad in Lakota at the Wounded Warrior banquets and we would chat! May he rest in peace and I will attend the mass when it is scheduled. God bless you all."
In loving memory of
Michael A. Schiltz
December 2, 1929 - April 19, 2020
Michael Schiltz, 90, of Bancroft, died Sunday evening at Fleur Heights Care Center in Des Moines. In following the recommendations of the Iowa Department of Public Health Disaster Emergency, as well as, careful consideration for the family and friends of Mike, his family has decided not to have a funeral Mass at this time. A Mass will be held at a later date at St. John's Catholic Church in Bancroft with military honors conducted. A private family graveside service will be held at this time.
Michael Anthony Schiltz was born on December 2, 1929 on his parents' farm near Panama, Iowa, the son of Joseph and Kathryn (Blum) Schiltz. He was baptized at St. Mary's in Panama, IA. His family later moved to Defiance, and lived on two different farms there. They settled in Manilla, Iowa in 1945 when Mike was a junior in high school. He played football and graduated from Manilla High School in 1947. After graduation he worked for the lumberyard in Manilla.
In 1952 he was drafted into the Army but was sent to the Marine Corp. He served in the Korean War. He was wounded in action while serving on the front lines as a machine gunner. Mike received a Purple Heart for this service during the Korean War. Upon returning from Korea, he attended the Radio Engineering Institute in Omaha and worked as an aide in the psychiatric department at Lutheran Hospital in Omaha.
On June 12, 1954 Mike was united in marriage to Marilyn Samuelson at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Manilla, IA. Mike had several jobs and as a young couple, they lived in Omaha, NE, Manilla (Mike's Radio and TV), Dow City (Dow City Hardware Store), and Manning (Detlefsen Electric), IA. In 1964 they moved to Bancroft, Iowa and established their business: Schiltz Electric: Wiring, Plumbing and Heating. Mike remained in Bancroft until his wife's death in 2016. He moved to the Des Moines area and lived with his family primarily with his son, Tom in Norwalk and would "winter" with Sue in Owasso, OK.
His greatest love was his family. He was a devoted husband for 62 years. He loved doing things with his children and grandchildren: fishing, driving through the Union Slough, checking on the deer, the swans or the eagles. He loved the outdoors and was an avid fisherman. While driving down the road it always amazed his children and grandchildren that he could see a pheasant in the ditch, a deer from afar or a tree that a beaver had cut down. He had a great sense of humor and the family loved watching him laugh at his own jokes. He was a great storyteller and loved visiting with people. No one was a stranger to Mike.
Mike was a member of St. John's Catholic Church. He was active in the Cursillo Movement in the 70's. He was a member of the Bancroft American Legion and the Knights of Columbus. He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather and friend.
Those left to cherish his memory include; his 6 six children, Kathleen Schiltz of Des Moines, IA; Michael (Camie) Schiltz of Ankeny, IA; Susan (Lloyd) Henson of Tulsa, Oklahoma; Thomas Schiltz of Des Moines, IA; Patrick (Georgia) Schiltz of Des Moines, IA; and Mary Jo (Jeff) Bloominger of Davenport, IA; 15 grandchildren: Michael, Nicholas and Benjamin; Hailey and Hannah; Tessa, Matthew, Collin and Hannah; Sophie, Patrick, Grant and Joseph; Conner and Trever; Laty'ca Robinson, great grandsons, Anthony and Michael; sister, Laurina Schleismen; Sister in Law Bonnie Schiltz, nieces and nephews, and a host of other relatives and friends. Mike was preceded in death by his wife Marilyn, his parents and 7 siblings: Ann Conway, Tony Schiltz, Joe Schiltz, Carrie Denning, Theresa Wilson, Hermanette Tank, and Mary Poole.
Dad, you had a heart as big as the outdoors! We love you!
Tributes
"May your many happy memories bring joy until the happy reunions!"
"Mike was a great man! I was proud to have him as a cousin."
"Matt, Michael and I, along w our families, are so sorry for your loss. We have been talking back and forth this week about your dad and mom. What an absolutely special couple. The one story that comes to us kids we will remember forever, is when our mom and dad were gone for a short time in the evening and they left Matt in charge. Michael had to be maybe 4 or 5 years old and he put a peg in his mouth and started choking. Before the time of the heimlich, we called your parents and they bolted over like a flash. Your dad rushed in and grabbed Michael by the ankles and started bouncing him up and down, when it didnt dislodge, he put him over his knees and just started hitting him on the back until the small peg came shooting out!! Your mom immediately said, \" praise Jesus\"! That\'s what our neighborhood was about, when you called, they came running without any hesitation. Sue and I talked about all the dancing that went on in all of our kitchens. You know I could go on and on. Please know we will be there in spirit and we will visit when we can all be together again in person. Our love to all of you. Martha (Menke) Eichenberger"
"Prayers to you all. Your father was a wonderful man and raised a great family. Cherish the memories. Your parents will always be by your side. I remember him and one of the boys saved Degen family Christmas 2 years in a row. Always willing to drop everything and lend a hand. Even on Christmas Eve."
"Our Deepest Sympathy to all the Family, Marie Kemna & Family, ??"
"Kathleen, Mike, Tom, Susie, Pat, and Mary Jo: You all have Joe?s and mine deepest sympathies. Mike and Marilyn were two of the most giving and caring people that we ever knew. They were my godparents when I joined the church, and we formed a great friendship for which I am forever grateful and blessed. Every family function that we had at our house, automatically included Mike and Marilyn, as well as George and Annette! We will forever hold a very special place in our hearts. May you find comfort knowing that you?re in my thoughts and prayers. He was one of the best!! Rest In Peace, Mike! Love - Joe and Carol Menke"
"Sorry for your loss prayers for the family"
"My thoughts and prayers are with you all. May your memories bring you peace!"
"So sorry for your loss. Have fond memories of you Dad. Best memory was in 1998 two days before our oldest son?s graduation. Had a storm on our place taking a good share of our buildings down and he was one of the first out to our place offering to hook up a generator for our graduation party the next day. And took wires down so no stray electricity. Also enjoyed visiting with him at the nursing home when Marilyn was in Bancroft home. Lowell and Marilyn Eichenberger"
"Sending you all our deepest sympathy. Please know you are all in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. Mike & Jennifer (Jergenson) Altman "
"Deepest sympathy to the whole Schiltz family. Know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. Mike was such a kind and gentle man. Always stopped to visit every time I saw him. Love to all. Angie (Schiltz) Kasch. "
"Margaret and I are so sorry for your loss. Mike was a great man who truly was devoted to his faith and family. Rest in peace. Vince & Margaret Schiltz"
"RIP Uncle Mike. You were greatly loved and will be dearly missed. You were such a great storyteller, and I always learned something new after spending time with you. I am so glad we were able to visit this summer. You captivated us by your stories from the Korean War. I know you are having the most wonderful reunion with Aunt Marilyn and all your loved one who passed before you. "
"My goodness.... Kathleen, Mike, Sue, Tom, Pat, and Mary Jo, my heart goes out to you during this time of losing your wonderful dad. You were all very blessed to have had such a great dad. I have such good memories of your dad, his laugh, his fishing stories, and of your fun family, of which I felt so much a part of for many years. I?ll be there with you in spirit when you say your earthly goodbyes later this week. Love to you all.?? Kay Williams Kay Williams"
"You have my deepest sympathy on the loss of your dad. I pray that your happy memories bring you peace. I am sure that your mom and dad are back to enjoying stories of their kids and grandkids. "
"To the Mike Schiltz family, please accept our deepest sympathies and condolences. Our Family loved ?old Mike the Plumber? especially my Dad. Tom and Sheila Kockler"
"Tom (and all of the family members), Sorry for the loss of your dad. Dads are so important in our lives, it is hard to let them go. Am sure there are many memories to brighten your days. Hold on them. Marcy (Gelhaus) Gotz"
"Dick and I want to extend our sympathy and prayers to all the Schiltz family. What a beautiful tribute his obituary is. I can still see his smile and hear his chuckle. Mike was our plumber when we built our house. He was a devoted husband and kind man. As you mourn his passing but celebrate his life may you be comforted by the knowledge of him resting in peace! God?s blessings to all of you. "
"Our deepest sympathy to Mike's children. Gregg and Eileen Elsbecker "
"Deepest sympathy to you all!! Mike was such a nice guy!! Got to know him better when my Mom and Marilyn were roommates . He was SO devoted to your Mom, true Love! Always enjoyed his stories! I'm sure you have a ton of wonderful memories and fishing stories!! Hugs to you all! Marilyn and Chuck Vaske "
"I don't know where to start! Mike was a hell of a friend. He helped me so many times....like in a blizzard my furnace decided to quit, good ol' Mike ridge a motor together so I had heat or the time I came home with a flooded basement, he help me drain it! What a kind and wonderful guy! Always willing to help you out! I have so many fond memories I could continue but I best stop! I'm sure he is walking on water or fishing in the sea! ? you, Mike! Know I thinking of you all and you have my deepest sympathy! God Bless!"
"Mike, one of my ol' fishing buddy! I have so many fond memories....I think we wore out the roads going to Fairmont. Then had to stop at Arby's for a sandwich. Or the time we were ice fishing and you fell in and I pulled you out with the sled. If we weren't fishing we were checking out the slough. And we shared a few fishy story. We were almost like brothers. You were a wonderful friend and until we meet again! Deepest sympathy to Kathleen, Mike, Sue, Tom, Pat and Mary Jo I will treasure our memories ?"
"So sorry for your loss. Reading Mike?s obituary and his love for family and he was an amazing man. Always knew you whenever you saw him and if we needed him he would come as soon as he could. He will be so missed by so many. Remember Dad with smiles and tears. Memories are forever. Prayers for all of you "
"My sympathy to the Schiltz family on the loss of your Dad. Was a great neighbor, friend and tour guide. Will always remember the time he took Sr. Lila and me on the Union Slough tour and could get all the animals to come out of hiding. Remembering all of you in my prayers. JoAnn Hellman "
"My condolences to the family, lots great memories as my sister Susanne has mentioned. Brian,Jeanne Kockler Rippentrop "
"Mike was a wonderful friend to our parents. Always there to help with plumbing issues. My parents always cherished their friendship and occasional fish. Our sincerest empathy. The George and Annette Kockler family"
"Schiltz family, we are so sorry to hear about your dad. He was such a great guy and lived such a long, full,life. Your whole family is very special to us ! You?re dad is probably rejoicing now that he has returned to his beautiful love of his life. We will keep him and all of you in our prayers. Just keep all his fun memories in your heart. ???????? John and Sheila"
"So sad to hear of your Dads passing. I remember your Dad very well. He was always one to jump in and help others and never wanted anything in return. It's been a number of years since I had seen your Dad. To Mike, remember the good laughs and smiles. Those are the best memories. Roger Summitt"