Mary Minerva Schoville

Mary Minerva Schoville, 94, of Coker Creek, TN passed away March 3, 2025. She was born in the family dairy farm house near Footville, WI on July 18, 1930. Mary was the daughter of the late I. Glenn and Frances Klusmeyer. She was preceded in death by her parents listed above; husband, Bill Schoville; siblings, Kenneth Klusmeyer, Betty Lubbers, Florabelle Lamb, Everett Klusmeyer, and Jean Leathermon. Mary was the last and oldest surviving sibling.

She met her late husband, Bill at a church camp in northern IL. They married after graduation from high school and both went on to attend Minnesota Bible College. Together they ministered at churches in Illinois, Indiana, and Iowa. They were blessed to be able to celebrate 72 years of marriage before he passed away in January 2022. They raised 4 wonderful children, Debbie (Bill) Clark, David (Lillie) Schoville, Patty Schoville, and Penny (Arnie) Schaufler. Their kids have fantastic memories of great vacations together! She leaves behind her 4 children, 9 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren.

Mary worked as a secretary in different capacities; her favorite being secretary to professors at University of Illinois Dairy Microbiology Department. She loved to water ski and showing off skiing on one ski. In addition, she enjoyed riding roller coasters. The last roller coaster ride experience was at the age of 85 on the Wild Eagle at Dollywood. The kids at church loved her chalk drawings and were excited to “win” one when they were completed. She also showed her adventurous spirit hiking the California mountains in her 50s with her daughter, Patty for 5 days/nights, white water rafting in Oregon with daughter, Penny and family, travelling to Germany and Austria with daughter, Debbie and granddaughter, Rachel, and helping her husband run a Baskin Robbins store with their son, David’s family. After work she still had enough energy to enjoy time playing with the grandkids in her pool in Arizona. She and hubby, Bill enjoyed a trip to Israel and an Alaskan cruise and travelled most of the United States. Her son-in-law, Arnie recalls how she could whip up a feast when no one could find anything in the kitchen to eat. A trick that comes with growing up during the depression. Mary was chosen with the then toddler Debbie, for a 2–3-page magazine spread for a grand opening grocery store article. She also won a couple of cash prizes for solving crossword puzzles in the local newspaper which helped fund some of her family vacations. A life so full is hard to sum in such a short space! Debbie and David are grateful they were able to spend so much time with their mom over the last couple of years. Now she is experiencing her eternal adventure.

Thank you to Monroe Health & Rehab of Madisonville and Amedisys Hospice for the loving care and respect given to her. Also, thank you to so many Ironsburg Church friends for looking after them over the years.

A celebration of life service will be held Saturday, May 17, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at the Tellico Plains Christian Fellowship Church located at 215 Southard Street, Tellico Plains, TN. You may send flowers or memorial donations in memory of Mary to Smoky Mountain Christian Camp 157 Church Camp Rd. Tellico Plains, TN 37385.