Darin Schilling

1969-2021

Darin Jay Schilling, son of Michael and Vicki, passed away unexpectedly on July 6, 2021 at his home in Menahga. Darin was born in Wadena Hospital on July 29, 1969.

In his younger years he attended Menahga Schools. After high school he went on to Wadena Tech and received his degree in Mechanics. He worked as a mechanic at Nereson in Detroit Lakes. His true talent and passion was in his ability to repair anything. Even as a kid he had the ability to take apart and fix his bicycles and most anything with wheels. He told his mother that when he grew up he was going to own two semi trucks and a pickup truck. He realized his boyhood dream! In 1989 he received a Machinist Degree from Bemidji Technical College. In the fall of that year he traveled to Antarctica and worked a year and a half as a mechanic. He was so excited and proud to spend time at the geographic South Pole. In 1994 he received his CDL license in Orlando, Florida. Darin has spent most of the last 27 years driving for T.J. Potter as a long haul trucker, specializing in oversized loads. It has been estimated that he has driven at least three million miles. He was able to travel to every state and chose Menahga as his home.

Darin enjoyed music, riding his Harley Davidson and snowmobiling. He will be missed deeply and remembered by all that loved him. He is gone from us too soon.

Darin truly loved his family and is survived by his wife, Candace, children: Treston, Michael, Tiffany, Carter, Levi and Julie; step children: Jaden and Nicki; grandchildren: Kaiden and Troy; parents: Michael and Vicki Schilling; grandmother: Dixie Quaschnick; step grandmother: Estelle Everett; siblings: Rina (Brent) Niemela, Kimberli (Dylan McMurphy) Kinnunen, and Ryan (Angela) Schilling. Numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, and uncles. He was preceded in death by grandparents: Erwin “Pete” Peterson, Frank Schilling Sr., Sadie Schilling, Betty Schilling, and nephew Merhett Kinnunen.

A celebration of Life is planned for Saturday, July 17, at 11 a.m. at First English Lutheran Church in Menahga, with a lunch provided after.
In memory of Darin, jeans and Harley attire is acceptable. He will be laid to rest at Alajoki Cemetery, close to his family and his home.