Dale Rodney “Butch” Schilling passed away peacefully at his home in Fort Scott, Kansas on May 19th, 2026. He was born September 12, 1946 in Fort Scott, Kansas to Orville Fredrick and Emma Lavon Schilling. He graduated from Fort Scott High School in 1965 and married the love of his life, Donna Sue Carpenter, in March of 1966. They welcomed their son, Travis Dale Schilling, in 1968. Dale’s favorite nickname became “Papa” in 1997. He was blessed with another granddaughter in 2004, then became “Papa Dale” when his first great-grandson was born in 2023.
Dale spent his life playing any sport he could. His early years were full of baseball, then he graduated to fast pitch softball, but he spent the majority of his years on the golf course. He was an avid fisherman throughout his entire life, and spent many, many weekends on Tablerock Lake with friends and family. Dale was the family historian, and has quite the collection of Schilling and Fort Scott history. His many photo albums, filing cabinets, and VHS tapes document a vibrant life well lived, surrounded by those he loved. He was a master storyteller. He enjoyed spending time with his many friends, supporting his granddaughters in anything they put their minds to, and looking through his many photos.
Dale and Donna shared the same home together in Fort Scott for 56 years, where many friends and family gathered over the years. Dale knew that true riches were found in friendships, and that man knew he was rich. “The Garage” always had at least one visitor. He became the “Neighborhood Guardian” or “Neighborhood Grandpa” to many neighbors. Dale worked for Kansas Gas Company/One Oak for 35 years. He loved working for Kansas Gas Company, and has about 74 company hats to prove it. After retiring, he spent many summer weekends in Branson with his wife, son, daughter-in-law, and granddaughters.
“Papa Dale” leaves behind a legacy of generosity, kindness, hospitality, and humor. Survivors include a son, Travis Schilling and daughter-in-law, Tina of Ft. Scott; two granddaughters, Taylor Qualls and Tabitha Schilling, a grandson-in-law, Levi Qualls and his two great-grandsons, Kalister and Olivander Qualls. Also surviving are nephew Fred Stoughton and wife Diana of Fort Scott, a brother-in-law, Bill Carpenter and wife Diana of Ft. Scott, and a nephew, Doug Carpenter of Louisburg, Kansas. Dale was preceded in death by his parents, sister, a nephew, and his wife, Donna Sue Schilling.
There was cremation. Graveside services will be held at 11:00 AM Tuesday, May 26th, at the Evergreen Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to Harry Hynes Hospice and may be sent to the Cheney Witt Chapel, P.O. Box 347, Fort Scott, KS. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at Cheneywitt.com