Gaylord A. "Corey" Schmillen Obituary (1934 - 2023)

TOLUCA- Gaylord A. "Corey" Schmillen, 89, of Toluca, passed away on Tuesday, November 14, 2023, at Carle Proctor Hospital in Peoria. Cremation has been accorded. Visitation will be on Saturday December 9, 2023, from 10:00 am - 11:00 am at Calvert-Johnson & Froelich Memorial Home, 116 N. Walnut St., Toluca, IL 61369. A memorial service will follow at 11:00 am with Rev. Robert Idell officiating. Calvert-Johnson & Froelich Memorial Home in Toluca is handling services. Corey was born on the William and Rose Schmillen Farm west of Toluca on May 19, 1934, son to William Francis and Rose Marie Ehrnthaller Schmillen. He married Marcia Lou Rankin in Streator on September 15, 1962. Corey is remembered for his quiet wisdom and immense talent as a skilled tradesman (wood pattern maker) for several Midwest pattern shops in his early years of the late 1950s and then Mapleton Plant, Caterpillar for nineteen years. Corey finished out his career at Peoria Cast Tech, retiring in 1999. In retirement he loved his Toluca farm, spending time outdoors with his family, friends, and dogs. Winters were spent in his basement wood shop using trade skills to create elaborate wooden toys for fundraisers, children, and lucky family members. More than all of these, Corey loved spending time with his cherished wife, Marcia, of 61 years. To his immediate family, he was the best husband, dad, and "paw." In addition to his wife Marcia, Corey is survived by his sons Ken (Regina) Schmillen and Andrew Schmillen (Joe Bucolo); grandchildren Adam (Eva) Schmillen and Lauren (Nicholas) Lee; and sister Delores Tapay. He is preceded in death by his parents and his siblings William (II) Schmillen, Francis Schmillen, Gene Schmillen, Eileen Lowrance, Collette Rogers, Don Schmillen, and Tom Schmillen. In lieu of flowers, the Schmillen family requests donations be made to the Antioch Christian Church (Toluca, IL) or MSW Projects of Henry, IL (providing home delivered meals to Marshall, Stark, and Woodford Counties).