(West Unity Resident; Avid Gardener)
Eileen Doris (Shaw) Schilt, 101 years, of West Unity, passed from this life, on Saturday, February 10, 2024, at the Laurels of Defiance, surrounded by many loving family members and friends.
Eileen was born in West Unity on October 24, 1922, the daughter of the late Irvin Nelson and Edna Cloe (Grossman) Shaw and lived in numerous northwestern Ohio communities throughout her life.
She married Donald Schilt on April 7, 1939, and together they raised their two children, Shirley, and Roger. Eileen and Donald moved from the farm in 1982 and settled into retired life in West Unity.
Despite the difficulties of a busy life on the farm, Eileen found moments of stillness and beauty each day. She maintained a lush garden with abundant, showy flowers, and she instilled her green thumb and love of “dirt digging” in several of her granddaughters.
For decades, well into her 80’s, she walked two miles every day, and was known about town as the fast-walking lady with whom few could keep up.
Although Eileen may not have achieved greatness and wealth by worldly standards, she touched countless people in her little corner of the world.
Kind, selfless, generous, thoughtful, and full of grace, she had a true humble servant’s heart and showed this through a lifetime of love and service to those around her.
She was rich in gratitude for what she had and was rich in many friendships and the love of those who knew her. Eileen’s pride and joy in life was her family.
She is survived by her daughter and best friend, Shirley (Ralph) McCartney of Mesa, Arizona, whom she continued to chat with every day. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Sandi Haas, Beth Blythe, Amy Shepard, Ray Schilt, and Mary (Scott) Herndon. Eight great-grandchildren and her five nieces. She was blessed to have in her life dear friends, Joann Weiss, and Aimee Taylor, who brought great happiness and companionship to her in her final years.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her loving husband, Donald and her beloved son, Roger and his wife, Cathy, who were tragically killed in 2019 in an automobile accident. She was also preceded in death by her two brothers, Clayton, and Ira Shaw and one sister, Mamie Bernath.
Visitation for Eileen Doris Schilt will be held Thursday, February 15, 2024, from 3:00 – 7:00 p.m. in the Oberlin-Turnbull Funeral Home 202 North Liberty Street, West Unity. Funeral services for Eileen will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, February 16, 2024, in the funeral home with Pastor Frank Hibbard officiating. Interment will follow in Floral Grove Cemetery, West Unity.
Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider memorial contributions be made to the West Unity Senior Center or to the West Unity United Methodist Church.
Condolences may be sent to the family, or the online guest book may be signed at www.oberlinturnbull.com