John Schilder

Celebration of the life of John Schilder
John Schilder was born in Kampen, The Netherlands on May 21, 1950 to Peter and Dena (Last) Schilder. John passed peacefully and free of pain with his family at his side on January 13, 2015. He was 64 years old. He was diagnosed with tongue cancer in August 2013, and head and neck cancer in 2014.
He was 2 years old when his family immigrated to the United States. They settled in Artesia, California where John attended school until the 11th grade. He happily dropped his books on the school counselor's desk and announced that he was going to move to Washington to be a dairyman with his parents.
In Kent, Washington, he met Aggie Schakel and they were united in marriage on March 10, 1972, and spent 42 years sharing a wonderful life together. He was a loving and devoted husband and father. From this marriage they were blessed with four wonderful children. The family moved to Idaho in 1979 and enjoyed 36 years in Buhl and loved being part of the Castleford community.
At age 22, John bought his first 49 cows, and for 42 years continued to love and work with his cows until in June of 2014 when he could no longer physically work outside because of his headaches. He was an outstanding dairyman, amassing many friends associated with the industry.
John was a member of Twin Falls Reformed Church, where he loved to serve as deacon, greeter and usher, making its members and guests feel welcome with his beautiful smile and friendly personality. He also loved golfing with his buddies at CLCC. One of his greatest pleasures was RVing with friends and family. He was the wagon master, organizing and planning the trips, making sure they stopped at favorite restaurants. He was an outgoing and fun person, and always wanted to be with people and knew not a stranger. He had a gruff way about him, but he had a heart of gold, soft, kind and thoughtful. He wanted to thank those devoted friends who were at his side faithfully throughout the past year and a half. He had a special gift for young people and received so much support from them during his illness.
John's children and grandchildren were very, very important to him, and he cherished the dinners and noisy gatherings we had together. He taught his children the importance of faith in Christ, being honest, and respect for others. We treasure the legacy he left us and we look forward to meeting him in Heaven someday. Life will not be the same without you.
Those left to cherish his memories are his loving wife, Aggie; his children, daughter, Heidi and John Bishop, daughter, Amber and Dean DeKruyf, son, BJ and Andrea Schilder, all of Buhl, and son, Levi and Renae Schilder, of Gooding; 13 grandchildren, Carter, Eden, Zander, Kaster, Taya, Lucas, Audrey, Luke, Piper, Clayton and Shelby, Brook, and Chase; who he constantly teased, but they always came back for more. He leaves one brother, Case and wife Dinese Schilder of Orting, Washington, and special brother-in-law and sister-in-law Fred and Helen Barnhill of Kimberly, Idaho. He was preceded in death by his parents.
A Celebration of John's life will be held at 2:00 p.m., Monday, Jan 19, 2015 at Twin Falls Reformed Church in Twin Falls. Arrangements are under direction of Farmer Funeral Chapel of Buhl.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made to Castleford QRU or Castleford Baptist Church Food Fund.
Into Paradise…may the angels lead you.
Simon Birch