Harry M. Schwilling

Harry M. Schwilling died peacefully on April 14, 2021. Harry M. Schwilling, the son of Joseph and Esther Twining Schwilling, born on February 1, 1932, in Clements, Kansas.  He attended schools in Chase County and graduated from Chase County High School in 1949.

He married his high school sweetheart Dee Ellen Cox, daughter of Harvey L. Cox and Ila Pearl Mead- Cox, on January 21, 1951. They lived in Cottonwood Falls, Kansas. Harry joined the Air Force in January 1952 and was stationed at Lackland AFB, San Antonio, Texas, for basic training. He then went to Amarillo, Texas, for eight weeks of general jet mechanic school and instructor training. He spent the remainder of his four year enlistment as an instructor in jet aircraft systems. After service in the Air Force, Harry and Dee lived in Strong City, Kansas, then Wichita, Kansas, they returned to Cottonwood Falls, Kansas briefly then moved to Wichita Kansas.

Harry worked at Boeing Military Aircraft Company from 1957 to 1970 overhauling B-52 bombers.

He was laid off due to lack of work at Boeing in 1970, he then worked for Berry Tractor Co. and Sisco Inc., Caterpillar dealers in Wichita.  In 1978 he returned to Boeing as supervisor of the automotive garage. Harry retired on May 1, 1994.

After his retirement he and Dee loved spending time with their family, especially celebrating holidays.  He learned to play the guitar and he and Dee purchased a motor home. They enjoyed traveling and going to Bluegrass festivals. They became members of the Kansas Bluegrass Association, were they met and became friends with many wonderful people. They continued to travel and go to Bluegrass festivals until his health began to decline in 2019.

Harry was the last living child of Joseph and Esther Schwilling. He is survived by his wife Dee Ellen Schwilling; two daughters, Sharon Sue Schwilling Green-Lee, Patty Lou Schwilling-Green; two sons, Timmy Jay (T.J.) Schwilling and Rickey Joe Schwilling (Leanne); grandchildren, Scott Green (Jill), Steve Green (Joni), Tara Hammeke (Tony), Dynaa' Green-Gallegos (Jeremy), Corey Green, Amy Schwilling Sparks (Richard), Andy Schwilling (Stephanie), and Adam Schwilling. Harry was blessed with 19 great grandchildren and 3 great great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

He is proceeded in death by his parents, brothers: Joseph Schwilling, Howard Schwilling, Marvin Schwilling, Russell Schwilling, Lyle Schwilling and Wayne Schwilling, and sisters: Dorothy Schwilling-Wagner, Janette Schwilling-Duke, Mary Louise Schwilling-Shehan, Bernice Schwilling-Weamer and Shirley Schwilling-Cowdrey.

Funeral service will be 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, April 21, 2021, at Brown-Bennett-Alexander Funeral Home, Cottonwood Falls, with Pastor Josh Bush officiating. Burial will follow in Prairie Grove Cemetery, with military honors being conducted by McConnell Air Force Base. Family will greet friends from 4-6 Sunday, April 18, 2021, at Smith Family Mortuary, 1415 N Rock Rd Derby. No visitation is planned in Cottonwood Falls. Memorial donations may be made to Cross Point Free Will Baptist Church 1515 E Harry, Wichita, Kansas 67211. 

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