John Schiltz

John Schiltz, 82, Lake Mills, formerly of Bancroft, passed away Sunday, March 29, 2020, at the Sheffield Care Center. A graveside service will be held at 3 p.m., Sunday, June 7, at St. John’s Catholic Cemetery, Bancroft. A public visitation will be held Sunday June 7, from 1 p.m. until time of graveside services at Oakcrest Funeral Services, Bancroft. Social distancing practices will be followed at both the visitation and graveside services.
John Albert Schiltz was born July 23, 1937, in Estherville, the son of Walter and Margaret (McGuire) Schiltz. John grew up in Bancroft, where he attended St. John’s Catholic School.
John was married to Sharon Carroll in 1965. They resided in Albert Lea, Minn., until her death in 1967.
He married Muriel Belville on June 14, 1969, and they made their home in Lake Mills.
In his earlier years, John worked at Wilson and Company (Farmstead), Albert Lea, Minn. In 1991, he founded Lake Mills Livestock, Inc. and also started J R Livestock, Inc., then later JA Properties. John showed both Grey and Black Percheron draft horses hitches across the United States and Canada. John had a very successful winning career in the draft horse circuit. John won the Royal Manitoba Winter Fair several times, in addition to many state fairs and many other draft horse show competitions. He was considered a great friend to anybody he talked to and came into contact with. John was known for having a big heart. He will be dearly missed by many people.
He was a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Lake Mills, and Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Osage.
He is survived by two children: James Schiltz (Janelle), Clear Lake; and Kimberly Johnson (Russ), Joice; seven grandchildren: Nathan Schiltz, Clear Lake; Myja (Cody) Miller, Brookings, S.D.; and Wyatt, Mikayla, Jacob, Eli, and Isaiah Johnson, Joice; four brothers and sisters: Walter “Gene” Schiltz (Audrey), Albert Lea, Minn.; Mary Schmitt (Don), Algona; Cecelia Plathe (Dick), Algona; and Leon Schiltz,Glenville, Minn.; two sisters-in-law: Sharon Schiltz, Algona; and Theresa Schiltz, Albert Lea, Minn.; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Sharon; his second wife, Muriel, in 2014; his brothers: Robert and Donald Schiltz; and sister-in-law, Polly Schiltz.