James P. Schillinger, age 87, of Mendota, Illinois, formerly of Plainfield, Illinois, passed away Saturday, October 28, 2023 at Allure of Mendota.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, November 4, 2023 at First United Methodist Church, Mendota with Rev. Mary Bohall officiating. Cremation rites will be accorded after the funeral, and burial will be private at Restland Cemetery, at a later date. Visitation will be from 5-8 p.m. on Friday, November 3, 2023
at the church. Arrangements are being handled by the Merritt Funeral Home, Mendota.

Jim was born December 20, 1935 in Naperville to Paul and Ruth (Myers) Schillinger. He married Carole Auld August 25, 1956 in Naperville.

Survivors include three daughters, Kim (Clayton) Chilvers of Norfork, AR, Dawn (Mark) Dieter of Ottawa and Kathy Schillinger of Mendota; one son, Jeff Schillinger of Earlville; four grandchildren, Matt (Crystal) Dieter, Kyle (Paige) Dieter, Paul Schillinger and Elizabeth Schillinger and one great-granddaughter, Emma Dieter.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Carole in 2019 and daughter-in-law, Catherine Schillinger.

Jim farmed in the Plainfield, Illinois and Argyle, Wisconsin areas with his wife and son for over 50 years. He was a member of the Boards of Education for Wheatland Dist. 40C and Plainfield Dist. 202. He held county positions with U of I Ag Extension Council; President, Will County Farm Bureau; and Chairman, Will, South Cook Soil and Water Conservation District. He served on state boards of directors for Illinois Farm Bureau, Illinois Soybean Assn., American Dairy Assn. of Illinois, Illinois Agriculture Auditing Assn., Association of Illinois Soil and Water Conservation Districts, Rural Illinois Medical Student Assistance Program and Country Insurance. Jim also held numerous positions at Wheatland Salem U.M. Church, Naperville and served on the Board of Trustees for Mendota First United Methodist Church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Will County Farm Bureau Foundation for Educational Scholarships, Mendota First United Methodist Church, and Mendota Area Senior Services.