Garland Schiller

Garland E. Schiller, age 95 of Temple, passed away at Baylor Scott & White Hospital on January 21, 2021. A graveside memorial service honoring his life will be held Saturday, January 30, 2021 at 11 a.m. with visitation beginning at 10 a.m. at the Ocker Brethren Church Cemetery.

Garland E. Schiller was born June 10, 1925 to his parents, Adolph and Bertha (Chernosky) Schiller in Cameron, Texas.  He was raised on a farm in east Bell County.  He was one of three children, having one brother and one sister.  He was baptized and confirmed at the Ocker Brethren Church.  He attended Rosebud High School and graduated in 1942.  He enlisted in the United States Marines and served 3 years from 1943 until 1946, being stationed in Guam.  After being honorably discharged from the Marines, he worked as a clerk for the Santa Fe Railroad and was employed by Santa Fe for about 40 years before retiring.  He married Evelyn Joyce Oswald on July 5, 1952 at the Ocker Brethren Church, and they were married for more than 59 years before Joyce’s death in 2011.  Garland was a member of Ocker Brethren Church, SPJST, and American Legion Post #9 in Cameron.

Garland is preceded in death by his wife, Evelyn Joyce (Oswald) Schiller; his parents, Adolph and Bertha (Chernosky) Schiller; one brother, Clarence Schiller; one sister and brother-in-law, Margaret and Frank Plachy; one daughter, Betty (Schiller) Tarver; one niece, Grace (Plachy) Strybing; and one son-in-law, James Brown.

He is survived by:  three daughters and sons-in-law, Mary Polasek and her husband, Joseph, of Snook; Theresa Brown of Richmond; Barbara Schiller and Robert Thomas of Troy; and Robert Tarver of Conroe; two granddaughters:  Christina Scambray of College Station and Angie Kelly and her husband, Corey, of Needville; four grandsons:  Douglas Polasek and his wife, Shana, of Katy; Brett Legendre and his wife, Christy, of Needville; Jason Legendre and his wife, Jessica, of Needville; and Travis Billeck of Troy; 11 great-grandchildren, Christian and Samantha Scambray; Jaxon and Logan Polasek; Grady and Reese Legendre; Patrick, Grant, and Emmett Kelly; and Carter and Nora Legendre.

Serving as pallbearers are Corey Kelly, Brett Legendre, Jason Legendre, Douglas Polasek, Robert Tarver, and Robert Thomas.

Memorial may be made to the Ocker Brethren Church or a charity of your choice.

The family would like to thank the staff and caregivers at Garden Estates and Mercy House who provided care the last 3 years of his life.