Milton C. Schauble, 96

Milton Schauble peacefully passed away at home on Oct. 10, 2021, due to congestive heart failure.

Milt was born June 15, 1925, in Fayette, N.D., the second son of eight boys and one girl to Robert C. and Mary Schauble.

After moving to St. John, Wash., in 1937, graduating early from St. John High in 1944, was inducted into the U.S. Army and served in Leyete, S. Philippines Liberation. He received the Philippines Liberation Medal with one Bronze Service Star, the Asiatic Pacific Theater Service Medal and Victory Medal. He attained the rank of Staff Sargent and was an expert in carbine and a MM M-1 rifle sharp shooter. He received his honorable discharge in August 1946 and attended Gonzaga University in Spokane, Wash., for two years while working part time for J.C. Penney Company. In September 1948, his aspiration to become a CPA was abandoned to start a career with J.C. Penney. This was when he met Catherine (Cathy) who, at the time, was employed at another J.C. Penney store. They married on June 24, 1950, at St. Aloysius Church in Spokane.

Milt and Cathy moved to Missoula, Mont., in 1952, then to Bonners Ferry, Idaho, in 1959 where Milt managed the J.C. Penney store for 39 years, retiring in 1985. They raised nine children; two sons followed by seven daughters born between 1951 and 1968.

In 1992, Milt and Cathy moved to Post Falls, Idaho. In their retirement years, they enjoyed traveling and spending time with their grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Milt was an Honorary Life member of the Knights of Columbus which he served for decades with honor and distinction. He was also a faithful member in the American Legion and served on numerous committees and boards, always willing to lend a helping hand where needed.

He held a deep devotion to God and the Catholic Faith. Strong morals, integrity and work ethics embodied his everyday life. This was evidenced by a lifetime full of community service and selfless dedication to serve others. A good and decent man with a kind and gentle spirit who touched so many and was admired by all. His friendly smile and engaging manner was the icing on the cake.

Milt was preceded in death by his wife of 70 years, Catherine (August 2020); his parents; sister Elizabeth (Ray) Delong; brothers John, William, Don, Philip, Rollin and Albert (Betty) Schauble; brothers-in-law Bryan, Wilson, Bernard, Delbert and Stanley Hobbs; sisters-in-law Evelyn, Bessie, Hazel, Beulah and June; son-in-law Duane Primozich; grandson Michael Kendall Schauble and great-granddaughter Ashley Marie Schauble.

Milt is survived by sons David and Jeffrey; daughters Christine, Elizabeth, Victoria, Margaret (Bill Thibeau), Mikele (Paul Bruner), Becky and Rachelle (Todd Smith); brother Joe (Carolyn); brother-in-law Duane (Bobbi) Hobbs; sisters-in-law Maureen, Dorothy and Colleen; 21 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

A funeral Mass with a military funeral honors ceremony will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 22, 2021, at St. Thomas Catholic Church, 919 E. Indiana St. in Coeur d’Alene. Inurnment with Catherine will be held at 2:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 29, 2021, at St. Thomas the Apostle Cemetery, E. Sherman Avenue and S. 23rd Street in Coeur d’Alene. To watch the livestream, please visit English Funeral Chapel’s Facebook page. Sign his online guest book at www.englishfuneral.chapel.com.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Thomas Catholic Church.

As I sat to prepare a eulogy I reached beyond my own perception of who he was and heard thoughts and stories of others, there started to emerge a consistent pattern of the man, Milton Schauble. His lifelong habits that effected so many others and his quiet devotion to God.

He simply treated everyone nice and made a significant impression through the simple act of kindness. His smile and demeanor made each person feel special — this was the key to how he executed his life on Earth. Be grateful for the gift of his kindness and try to follow his example.

He gave his all with selfless dedication to God, family, church, community and work.

He set a perfect example of how to treat each human being leaving behind a legacy to follow. Be grateful not with what we have lost, but what he has left us. Love, memories and the blessing of having known him. Embrace your special memories and take comfort in them — for that is what he wanted for each of you.

He may have been tired, but not weary. He knew and trusted in God’s plan and took the hands of the angels when they whispered in his ear that it was time to go (be lifted up to start a new journey).

As he so often left conversations and goodbyes with a “God bless you.”

“GOD BLESSED YOU” Milton Schauble.