Schiller

Funeral Services for Milton Willie "Pete" Schiller, 73, of Sealy were held
on Monday, June 27 at 10 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church in Sealy with the
Rev. Dale Leland officiating. Interment was in the Pilgrim's Rest Cemetery
in Bellville. Serving as pallbearers were Wilbert Milberger, Louis Hajdik
Jr., Gary Scherbig, Willie Jez, Mark Machala and Jim Creekmore.
 Schiller was born on December 7, 1931 in Sealy to parents Joseph and Vlasta
Janicek Schiller. Pete went to school in Sealy and graduated from Sealy High
School in 1950. He was employed by the Texas Highway Department before
serving in the Army from 1953 to 1954. He then attended Blinn College for
two years. On November 10, 1956 he married Lorrene Ann Ottmer and they lived
in Houston before moving back to Sealy in 1967. They were blessed with a
daughter and two sons.
Schiller worked for 38 years as a welder for Cameron Iron Works which became
Copper Industries . After retiring, Pete and Lorrene made many trips to
Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri and many other states. On these travels, Pete was
always on the look out for named bricks, rusty drawn farm equipment, window
weights, pump stands, fire plugs and  other collectibles. Schiller would
then write about his travels and the interesting items he found to add to
his collections. These articles were published in The Sealy News in a
section titled Odds and Ends by Milton "Pete" Schiller.
Even though he loved to write about his travels and collections, Pete also
enjoyed meeting and talking to people. He would listen to their stories and
then ask if he could write an article about them and take a photo of
whatever they had talked about. He also loved history, whether it was the
history of objects he collected, the history of Sealy, Austin County, or the
railroad. He  researched his subject by talking to friends, acquaintances
and family members. He would visit the Courthouse in Bellville in search of
information.
Since 2002 Pete has been a member of Trinity Lutheran Church of Sealy. He
was a former member of  The First Presbyterian Church of Sealy where he was
Baptized, Confirmed and served as an Elder of the church. Pete has also been
a member of the Sealy Area Historical Society and the International Brick
Collectors Association. Pete was also very devoted to his four
grandchildren. He was never too busy to give a wheelbarrow ride, find a
needed tool or other object or make something special when asked by one of
his grandchildren.
A beloved husband, father and grandfather, Schiller is survived by his wife:
Lorrene Ottmer Schiller of Sealy; daughter:  Melody and husband Robert
Anderson; sons: Sterling and wife Wendy Schiller of Sealy; Bryant and wife
Melinda Schiller of Sealy; grandchildren: Ellie Anderson of Sealy; Jessica
Tipton of Katy; Clay Schulze of Sealy; and Brody Schiller of Sealy. He is
also survived by his brothers: Edwin, Melvin and Wilbur Schiller; sisters:
Hattie Dietz, Gladys Leatherwood, Joyce Johnston and Waldine Jones: numerous
other relatives, nieces and nephews and many friends.
Preceding Schiller in death were his parents: Joseph and Vlaasta Janicek
Schiller; twin sister: Nadine Dowdy; sister: Earline Goebel; and brother:
Lawrence Schiller.
Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Brazos Valley, 302 East
Horton, Brenham, TX, 77833-2406 or Trinity Lutheran Church, 402 Atchison,
Sealy, TX, 77474.
Arrangements by Knesek Family Funeral Chapel, Sealy.                                       

Posted by Joy Neely