Percy Fred Schiller

Percy Fred Schiller, a longtime resident of Moses Lake, died at his son’s home in New Jersey on Sept. 19, 2009.

He was born on Feb. 17, 1916, seven miles up Wolf Creek from Curleu Lake outside of Republic, Wa. He was the second from the youngest of 11 children. His father died when he was 4 and at 13 he was on his own. As a young man he worked in the dryland wheat country around Cunningham WA. During his youth, he worked at various farms in Ellensburg, the dryland wheat areas of Washington, for Delbert Spence of Ritzville. Prior to, and all during WWII, he worked as a welder at the Naval Shipyard in Bremerton, WA. Eager to enlist as a frogman (even though he couldn’t swim), he was told that his work repairing ships was too important to the war effort, so he was turned down. While working there, he met and married Arleen Ardelle (Kaye) Schiller. Two years later, they had a son, Neil. Percy’s dream was to have his own farm, so on Jan. 1, 1954, the family moved to an undeveloped farm next to the cemetery just outside Moses Lake. (Arleen used to quip that she had the quietest neighbors in the area!) Farming and working full-time besides, the years flew by. Neil grew up, became an electrical engineer, married, and left the area, eventually moving to the Jersey Shore. Percy retired from working at Columbia Bean at age 65, but continued farming, with winter travel to see his family in NJ. During all those years of farming, Percy and Arleen were active in the Grange, the farming community of the area, and hosted many family reunions, serving his wonderful barbecued lamb, and welcomed all with his generosity and a great story. By age 95, Arleen drifted away with Alzheimer’s, and died at 97. Meanwhile, his own health failing, Percy suffered a series of strokes, and Neil took his dad in, and gently cared for him of the next five years. Finally, the struggle was over, and Percy died Sept. 19, 2009. Neil is bringing his ashes out to Moses Lake, to be reunited with his love of 58 years, Arleen. They share a headstone in the cemetery that was their quietest neighbor. A private memorial was held for immediate family only. He is survived by his son, Neil, and his wife, Susan, four grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Our thanks to all his friends and neighbors who kept a watchful eye out for them, as well.