Ronald Shilling Obituary

Ronald L. Shilling

Professor Ronald L. "Ron" Shilling, 81, of Belle Plaine, Minnesota, and formerly of New Ulm, Minnesota, passed away Wednesday, May 24, 2023, at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Ron was born Dec. 17, 1941, in Tiffin, to Lester and Grace (Bormuth) Shilling. He was baptized and confirmed at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Findlay. Ron attended Findlay High School. Upon graduation, he attended Dr. Martin Luther College in New Ulm, Minnesota, graduating with the class of 1964. Between his sophomore and junior years, he served as an emergency music tutor at Northwestern Lutheran Academy in Mobridge, South Dakota. After graduation, he was assigned to teach in Mobridge for an additional year. In 1965, Ron was assigned as a music instructor at Dr. Martin Luther College until he was called to be Professor of Music three years later. Ron married Karen Breiling on Aug. 22, 1971, at St. John Lutheran Church in New Ulm, Minnesota.

As a Professor of Music at DMLC and later MLC, Ron taught music theory courses, organ, piano, and directed choir. His love for learning led him to College Conservatory of Music at University of Cincinnati, where he received a Master of Music in 1971. Later, he attended Concordia College in River Forest, Illinois, where he received a Master of Church Music in 1986. During his years, Ron used his talents to compose choral numbers, organ selections, and arrange hymn settings. After retiring from MLC in 2012, he continued serving as Adjunct Professor, teaching organ and piano lessons. He served the Lord for 54 years.

Ron's love for music began at an early age. After his first-grade teacher discovered he had perfect pitch, he started piano lessons. While he was still eight years old, he played organ for his first church service at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Findlay. Ron continued serving the Lord as a church organist for 73 years. For many years, he served as head organist at St. John's in New Ulm, Minnesota. He also served as an organist for St. John's in Sleepy Eye, Minnesota, Trinity Lutheran Church in Belle Plaine, Minnesota, and guest organist for multiple other congregations throughout the area and the Wisconsin Synod.

Ron is survived by his son, David (Laura) Shilling of Cape Coral, Florida; daughter, Debbie (Dan) Peterson of Racine, Wisconsin; four grandchildren, Joshua and Emma Shilling and Ella and Jack Peterson; sister, Mary Colburn of Findlay; sisters-in-law, Janet (Joel) Fredrich and Naomi Hardman; and nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.

He was preceded in death by an infant brother; parents; two sisters; two brothers-in-law; and wife, Karen in 2015.

Ron's funeral will be 11 a.m. Wednesday, May 31, 2023, at Trinity Ev. Lutheran Church in Belle Plaine. Visitation will be 9-11 a.m. Wednesday at the church. Following the luncheon, interment will be at 2:30 p.m. at St. Paul's Lutheran Cemetery in New Ulm, Minnesota.