Ronald Schilling, 83, a resident of Mt. Hermon born Sept. 7, 1928, died Sunday, July 8, 2012 at 9:20 a.m. at Riverside Medical Center.

After serving in the U.S. Navy, he began a career in the dairy business, initially with his father and later had his own dairy. He was a loving husband, father and granddaddy. He always believed in helping his family, friends and neighbors whenever he could. He enjoyed spending his mornings at Brooks General Store with his friends from the Coffee Shop Gang. He also had a love for hunting and fishing.

He is survived by two daughters and sons-in-law, Rachel and Earl Gill of Mt. Hermon and Gwen and Scott Thompson of Franklinton; a son and daughter-in-law, Jeff and Donna Schilling of Mt. Hermon; five grandchildren, Holly Gill, Dustin Diddon, Ryan Schilling, Kyle Wayne Hamm and Austin Schilling; five great-grandchildren, Hunter Addison, Alexis Schilling, Tristan Freeman, Kensley Hamm, Kerston Diddon, Nick Shilling and soon-to-be-born Noah Schilling; three sisters, Eloise Blazo of Zachary, Ginger Ellis of Columbia, Miss. and Elaine Van Horn of Magnolia, Miss.; three brothers and sisters-in-law, Byron and Elaine Schilling of Bogalusa, Paul and Eddie Schilling of Zachary and Jake Schilling and Sam Schilling, both of Mt. Hermon.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy “Dot” Schilling; parents, Albert Schilling and Alma Miller Schilling; and an infant brother, Toney Schilling.

Visitation was held Tuesday, July 10 at Crain Funeral Home from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m. and will continue Wednesday at 9 a.m. A funeral service will be held Wednesday in the funeral home chapel at 11 a.m., with Rev. Myron Schilling, Rev. Leroy McElveen and Rev. Randall Garcia officiating. Burial will follow at Pleasant Hill Cemetery.

The pallbearers will be Ryan Schilling, Blaine Schilling, Scott Schilling, Sid Frazier, Blake Schilling and David Stewart, and the honorary pallbearers will be Donald Slocum, David Brooks, Bud Lebo, Leroy McElveen, Rusty Watson and Rev. Howard Jefferson.

Obituaries can be viewed online at www.crainfh.com.