Dawn L. Schilling

Dawn LaVerne Schilling (née Kovach), age 67, passed away peacefully at her home in Richfield on May 8 after a bravely fought battle with pancreatic cancer. 

She is a beloved mother, sister, aunt, and wife. She is preceded in death by her parents, Bob and Sue Kovach, her sister Lori Kovach, and her first husband John Nelson. She is survived by her children Emily and Jonathan Nelson, husband Jim Schilling, brother Bob Kovach, sister Jeanne Giglio, as well as her nieces, nephews, step children, and step grandchildren. 

Dawn, a graduate of Kent State (bachelor's) and Cleveland State (master's), lived with a joy and vitality that she shared with her friends, family, and the hundreds of students she taught over her 30-year career as a public school teacher. She loved "tough cases" and helping children with behavior issues know they were good kids and deserved to be loved. In her spare time and after retirement, she continued to serve others by tutoring students in Akron and mentoring children in her church's youth group. While she did not relax much, she loved spending time with friends at lunches, brunches, and evening drinks on her deck overlooking Lake Erie at her Vermilion home. 

Loved ones will remember her big smile and laugh and her eagerness to do anything to make people feel comfortable, at ease, well fed, and loved. In her last months, she became interested in evergreen trees, and while planning her memorial service and celebration of life, she chose "evergreen" as the theme. She will live on in our hearts because, as she wrote, "love is everlasting." 

An informal gathering with coffee and cookies will be held at Richfield United Church of Christ (4340 W. Streetsboro Rd., Richfield) on Saturday, May 16 at 1 p.m. followed by a memorial service at 2 p.m. A celebration of life with appetizers will follow at The Lodge at the Richfield Heritage Preserve (4374 Broadview Rd., Richfield) at 3 p.m. 

Flowers will be arranged by Countryside Florist. If you are interested in making a donation in lieu of flowers, the family asks you to consider a memorial tree planting through the Arbor Day Foundation (arborday.org).

Thank you to all of her friends, family, neighbors, fellow churchgoers, former coworkers at Brunswick City Schools, and the communities of Richfield and Mitiwanga for their kindness and help to Dawn and her family during her illness.

Services in care of the Billow Funeral Homes and Crematory, Fairlawn Chapel, 85 N. Miller Rd. Akron, OH 44333.