SCHILLINGER, Ernest Erich (Age 80) Ernest was born on April 23, 1934 in Odessa, WA, the youngest of three brothers, to George and Minnie Schillinger, and passed away on Wednesday, November 12, 2014, in Spokane, WA. He graduated from Central Valley High School in June 1952 and soon after was drafted into the United States Army, serving during the Korean War. After getting out of the Army, he went to college at Eastern Washington University and graduated with a major in German and a teaching degree. He began his 30 year teaching career in the West Valley School District working at Dishman Elementary, Millwood Elementary, Park Junior High and Argonne Junior High. While at Park and Argonne, Ernie coached girls and boys basketball plus taught math, science, PE and drivers ed to multiple generations of Spokane Valley Youth. He was known as Mr. Schill and will be remembered as an exceptional coach and mentor. Although he retired in 1989, he continued to work at the Nevada Mining Association in Reno, NV for another eight years. At that point, he spent his summers in Spokane and wintered at Road Haven in Apache Junction until his death. Through the years, he made many great friends and enjoyed endless hours schooling them in cribbage, golf and tennis. Ernest is survived by his wife, Colleen, of 22 years; daughter, Jill of San Diego, CA; stepsons Kelly, Brian, Tim Shea; sister-in-law Donna of Spokane, WA; and many much-loved nieces and nephews; Curt, Gail, George, Julie, and Neil. He is preceded in death by his brothers Herman and Walter Schillinger. A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, November 22nd, from 2 p.m. till 6 p.m. at Spokane Valley Event Center,,10514 E. Sprague Ave., Spokane Valley, WA 99206.

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Published by Spokesman-Review on Nov. 16, 2014.

Memories and Condolences
for Ernest SCHILLINGER

23 Entries

jim slavin

November 10, 2020

Ernie was a really good athlete and handball played with Ernie and my dad a lot when I was young. I miss his smiling face, warm embrace, and great family. Hi Neil!

November 23, 2014

Ernie was a fun guy. From a CVHS classmate, Barbara Kellmer Waterman

Pam (Martin) Thomas

November 22, 2014

AS you go through school, you are lucky if you have a few teachers that really leave a mark on your life. Ernie Schillinger really was one of the greats! I hope his family finds some comfort in knowing that he made a positive influence on generations of kids throughout the years. He left us all with the feeling that we were special and important. He will be missed.

November 22, 2014

I remember Dishman Elementary, 1960. The fifth grade teacher, a man of small stature, but feared by younger students, grew to be a giant of a man in my life. My fifth grade year remains my favorite. Being very shy, I recall sitting up in the very front of the room, and hardly having the courage to look up as he instructed. To this day, if someone asks me about special teachers, his name is the first out of my mouth. I went it Argonne, Park Junior High, and then onto West Valley. I remember watching him work the football games when I was in high school. During half time we always made it a point of saying hello to him. Then, twenty years after being in his class at Dishman, I remember my brother coming to me just before my wedding started and telling me "Mr. Schillinger" was there. I 'm sure my smile probably lit up the room. After all, he was the most special guest that evening!
Teachers touch the lives of all who sit under them. This giant of a man deeply touched our entire family!
We are sorry to have lost this special person!

Linda Hutton Wieber

November 22, 2014

Providing tributes to others is tricky, unless families across the Spokane Valley can equally distribute the care and respect they shared with a teacher, coach, and friend. Ernie Schillinger became all three to many of us. Mr. Schillinger taught us to be respectful and kind to others, as well thoughtful and discerning in life. He was never your best friend. Mr. Schillinger was more than that. He was the person, later in life, you wanted to be your best friend.

caryn christensen

November 21, 2014

I will always smile when I think of the time Earie backed his golf cart on the trailer into a closed garage and the time he drove down the road with a battery charger dragging behind the trailer. RIP my friend. Have a good round with Eddie

Terry Sawyer

November 21, 2014

Mr. Schillinger was my PE teacher in 1971. He was an outstanding teacher, he brought energy and skill to the gym, or whatever field we were on each day, and he made it fun, he was a very witty gut. We were lucky to have him at Park Jr. High. Condolences to his family.

Steve Owens

November 20, 2014

Ernie Shillinger was my PE coach at Park as well in the early 70's. He was an inspirational person who made even the less talented kids feel like they were important contributores. He was also my driver's ed teacher and had at least 1 or 2 other classes that he taught. I think I was also amongst those "hacked" by Ernie when I went on to the gym floor with my street shoes on. I thought at the time it was unfair because I just forgot what I was doing, but the point was rules were rules so everyone was meted out the same punishment. Besides you were never really cool until a teacher or two hit you with a paddle. So many memories I had forgotten from that time in my life, but memories of Ernie always stuck.

November 20, 2014

Along with the majority of my older siblings, I had the terrific fortune to have Mr. Schillinger as a teacher and coach in the seventh and eight grade. His lessons, both on and off the court, were delivered with a combination of knowledge and creative wit. Those lessons shall never be forgotten. One of my brothers was given a much deserved lesson, or "hack" by Mr. Schill after my brother referred to him as "Shorty" over the intercom system at Park Junior High. My father couldn't have been more pleased, and my brother never forgot it. Mr. Schill's personality grew legendary in the Spokane Valley, and I was blessed to have known him and the entire Schillinger family......simply wonderful people.

Kim Bradshaw

November 19, 2014

You will be missed Mr. Schillinger! I enjoyed watching you teach the boys how to become men during co-ed PE at Park Jr High. Your influence on the entire student body was unlike any other teacher :) Thanks for the great job you did - West Valley School District was lucky to have you!!!!

November 19, 2014

The Washington State Veterans Cemetery extends our deepest sympathies to the family of Ernest E. Schillinger for your loss. We honor him for the service and sacrifice he has made for our nation, he is a true hero.

November 18, 2014

Wow we lost Ernie!!!!! Life is so short.. I knew ernie as a great handball player in the old Elks Club and Spokane Club days and later ran into him in Arizona. He never changed and was an absolute character. I will really miss him. Neil, keep the fires burning my friend. God bless your family!!!

Jerry O'Brien

November 18, 2014

I met Ernie in the Fall of 2004 when we played in a tennis tournament and won. Over the next 10 yrs we spent many days and nites together. Ernie was liked by all. Though he suffered much pain over the yrs, he never complained. In Arizona, he was either in the woodshop, tennis courts or on the golf course. Having met some of his former students, I know he was a good teacher and taught his students good values. I visited him and Colleen about 4 yrs ago and met some of his many friends in Spokane. We all lost a good man and a dear friend.

Michael Haworth

November 18, 2014

Mr Schillinger was my 8th grade basketball coach and PE teacher. Great man who truly cared about the students. I have thought about him from time to time with the lessons he taught us as young men.

Jean Askov 9Lemke

November 18, 2014

My sympathy to Ernie's family, have known that family for some 68 yrs.

Bill Langdon

November 17, 2014

I am proud to say that I have been on the receiving end of a Ernie Schillinger hack, or two. RIP Ernie "The Schill."

Tab Diana Dougherty

November 17, 2014

Your afternoon fan club will miss you !

Pat Stretch

November 17, 2014

Greatest PE teacher and ninth grade basketball coach ever, as well as a very good mentor. Had the opportunity to play for him in the early 70's. Great man. Condolences to his family.

November 16, 2014

Mr. Schillinger was a great teacher and basketball coach who I had the honor of playing for at Park Jr. High in the late 60's. It was my privilege to know him. He truly was a molder of dreams for me. Shawn Scribner, Yuma Az.

David Klyzek

November 16, 2014

I did my student-teaching at Park Jr. High under Mr. Schillinger in 1980. In fact we had to have all PE classes indoors because of the Mt. St. Helens eruption. Ernie was and still is the best PE teacher I was ever around. The kids loved him and he really taught them viable skills. I looked forward to seeing Ernie every day and I learned a lot of skills for dealing with people that I use to this day. A great man.

Tom Gannon

November 16, 2014

I remember Mr. Schillingers famous trick basketball shot he used to make bets with. As his back was to the rim he would bounce the ball off the side wall and it would travel over his head and through the rim. If he missed, he promised you a candy bar, if he made it, you had to do push ups. I remember alot of kids doing push ups. I also remember him being a pretty cool teacher to be around. Condolences to all his family, who are all very nice people.

Pat Wheeler

November 16, 2014

Ernie was a fun class act guy with a great sense of humor who I met playing handball at the Spokane Elks.Never afraid to laugh at himself he could make you smile without trying.I will miss you Ernie and 'thanks' for the memories.RIP.

John Graham

November 16, 2014

What a sad day and a huge loss. I never met anybody that I liked the first time I met them like I did Ernie. He made you feel so at ease, very funny guy. I can see why all his students liked him. He will surely be missed by all. Rest in peace Ernie.

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