Shirley Anne “Smoll” Schilling

Shirley Mack Schilling , 96, died peacefully September 9, 2024 at The Arbors at Monterey Village in Lawrence, Kansas. She was born Shirley Ann (she added the ‘e’ later) Smoll on April 12, 1928, in Wichita, Kansas. She was the youngest of five boys and two girls born to Allen Elwood and Bernice Fuller Smoll.  After graduating from Wichita North High School in 1946 she attended Southwestern College in Winfield for two years before transferring to K-State. There, while working as a soda jerk, she met Willis Myron Mack. She used to put his drink down hard so his soda foamed up and he’d have to stay longer, waiting for it to settle. They were married October 28, 1950, and had four children. They divorced in 1989.

On March 23, 2001, Shirley married Dan Schilling, a widower and former classmate. For 16 years they entertained friends and family, gardened together, served and worshipped at Shawnee United Methodist Church, hosted Bible studies and had many traveling adventures.

Shirley loved God, life, people–and hot black coffee. Foreign exchange students, co-workers, neighbors, friends, her children and extended family, as well as others God brought across her path, were blessed by her servant heart. She chauffeured on trips and tours; she could demonstrate and teach a variety of skills; she’d readily give food, flowers and produce from her gardens and kitchen. Shirley also enjoyed crafting original gifts of fabric and stained-glass. She fully invested her time and energy, generous in all her endeavors, whether homemaking, raising her kids, or involvement in various school, church and community groups during her lifetime. She was a member of the Shawnee United Methodist Church, the Alpha Xi Delta sorority and Chapter JO of the P.E.O. Sisterhood.

We are thankful for the patient, loving and compassionate attention given by The Arbors staff while she lived in Lawrence, both for respite stays and, especially, while she was a full resident the last five months.

Preceding her in death were Dan on Dec 3, 2016; Willis Mack on September 20, 2017; her parents, siblings and great-grandson Joshua Lange. She is survived by her children James Mack (Alexandre Do Mack) of West Sacramento, CA; Toby Mack (Nancy) of Sacramento, CA; Lori Lange (Mark) of Lawrence, KS; and Richard Mack (Kay) of Centennial, CO; 11 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. with visitation at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, September 27, 2024 at Shawnee United Methodist Church, 10700 Johnson Dr., Shawnee, KS. Livestream and recorded service available at ShawneeUMC.org.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Samaritan’s Purse or a charity of your choice in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary, 120 W 13th St., Lawrence, KS 66044.