passed away, Wednesday, September 8, 2021. Loving husband of the late Pollylou Schlag (nee Wilson). Dear father of Mark (Sarah) Schlag, Dottie (Steve) Bardon, Tom (Kathy) Schlag and Don (Kathy) Schlag. Grandfather of Lauren, Amy, Michael, Jacob, Joseph, Patrick, Brad, Daniel, Jeff, Andy, Matthew, Elizabeth, Debra and Lisa. Great grandfather of Louise, Gwendolyn, James, Heidi, Jonathan, Brody, Sophia, Emily, Clayton, Andrew, Ethan, Sarah and Xander. Brother of Sue (the late Tony) Risner and Norman (Betty) Schlag. Brother in law, uncle, cousin, friend and mentor to many.

Services: Funeral service at Salem in Ballwin United Methodist Church, 14825 Manchester Road, Ballwin 63011, Monday, 11:00 a.m. Interment Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery. If desired, contributions may be made to Salem in Ballwin United Methodist Church or the charity of choice. Visitation at church, Monday 9 a.m. until time of service. Friends may sign the family's on-line guestbook at Schrader.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by St. Louis Post-Dispatch on Sep. 12, 2021.

Memories and Condolences
for Darwin Schlag

13 Entries

David Deufel

September 5, 2025

I first met the delightful Darwin in a creative writing group and gained a few insights into his professional and personal lives. He wrote about some of his military experiences. Those 33,000 haikus were composed by this maestro in 29 years. He inspired me to write them. He contributed so much to the writing group in his inimitable fashion. When we critiqued any piece, he would always say, “Didn’t care for it much.” Such drab humor. What a character!

david deufel

September 21, 2021

Darwin was quite a character, full of vivid brevity. I had only met him a few years ago in a writing group. Not only his massive haiku collection but other essays he wrote were remarkable. And his comments about wife and war and loving children and life in general were perceptive. Upon his death I got a more complete picture of this marvelous man. You see, he never bragged about, let alone mentioned his accomplishments.

Felicia Bamer

September 13, 2021

My Prayers to the Schlag Family.

Sharon Klein

September 13, 2021

To the Schlag Family
Please accept my sympathies for your loss. What an amazing obituary about your father. The writing gene carries on in the family. Loved his wit. He and Polly Lou will be missed.

Barb Hackett

September 11, 2021

Darwin will be truly missed with the creative writing group. He was an inspiration for the fellow writers to carry index cards and write whenever the thoughts came to us. I enjoyed reading about his travels and the many Haikus. Most of all, I will miss his sense of humor.

Charlotte Ellington

September 11, 2021

Darwin was a treasure. I came to know him when he was at the tail end on the spectrum of life, but he was still in the forefront with regard to wit and wisdom. He enlivened our Creative Writing Group. We looked forward to his haikus and memoirs. Sending you thoughts of comfort and love. I know your memories will uplift and sustain you all. Thank you for including the beautifully written obituary, which wonderfully spans Darwin's life. It is a fitting tribute to a remarkable man.

Charlotte Ellington

Stephanie Alberts

September 10, 2021

Dear Don and family my thoughts and prayers go out to you at this time, many prayers to you.

Stephanie Alberts

Susan Bruno

September 10, 2021

I am truly sorry for the loss of your dad. He will be in my nightly prayers.
God Bless your entire family at this time.

Paul and Carol Temme

September 10, 2021

To the Schlag family. So sorry for your loss. We have lived next door to
Polly Lou and Darwin for 33 years. Wonderful neighbors who brought deer to our backyard daily. And Darwin’s dry sense of humor! They will be missed.

Susan Pickardt

September 10, 2021

We will always remember Mr. Schlag for his quick wit and taking copious notes in church. Such good friends of our parents and a fine man. He will be missed. Our sympathies to the whole family. Love and prayers to all.

Kay Maddox

September 9, 2021

Mark, please know you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. I know it is a comfort to you that he is not in pain and is with your mom. Losing our parents is do hard.

Barb Benson

September 9, 2021

Don, so sorry for your loss. Prayers for your family. I know he will be missed.

Anita Walth

September 9, 2021

I am so sorry for you and your family. Keeping all of you in my prayers. May your memories bring you peace and joy as you look back through time .

Showing 1 - 13 of 13 results