Eugene Edward Schooler

PASTOR EUGENE E. SCHOOLER September 8, 1936 ~ December 22, 2015 Pastor Eugene E. Schooler, 79, passed peacefully from this life into eternal life on December 22, 2015, following complications from a stroke suffered in late March. He was born September 8, 1936 in Lanesville, Indiana, the youngest of 8 children born to Willie C. and Elizabeth (Taylor) Schooler. The family soon moved to Columbus, Indiana, where Eugene attended St. Peter's Lutheran School through the 8th grade and graduated from Columbus High School in 1954. He then attended Concordia Jr. College in Ft. Wayne, Indiana and received his degree from Concordia Theological Seminary, Springfield, Illinois in 1961. Congregations served during his ministry include: Trinity Lutheran Church, Auburn, Nebraska (1961 - 1966): Zion Lutheran Church, Petoskey, Michigan (1966 - 1978); Faith Lutheran Church, The Dalles, Oregon (1978 - 1990), and Calvary Lutheran Church, Sunnyside, Washington (1990 - 1991). He also served as Campus Pastor at Peru State Teachers College in Nebraska and as a Circuit Counselor for other areas. While in The Dalles, he had services at Kamlu Retirement Home each Sunday evening. In retirement, he volunteered as Sunday School Superintendent at Trinity Lutheran Church, Manistee, Michigan and conducted services for various churches in that area. He moved to Vancouver, Washington in 2004 to be closer to his children and their families. Pastor Schooler married Janet (nee Buchanan) on August 7, 1960 in their home congregation in Columbus, Indiana. The marriage was blessed with four sons and one daughter. For recreation, he enjoyed boating, fishing, camping, bowling, golf, and pitching for his church's slow-pitch softball team. Family vacations were usually spent camping, and later Eugene and Janet enjoyed trips to Alaska with friends (25th & 50th anniversaries), a boat ride down the Rhine River (40th anniversary), and a special cruise to the Baltic capitals for their 70th birthdays. Preceding Pastor Schooler in death were his daughter, Karin Holdaway-Lehman; his parents; 3 brothers; and 3 sisters. Survivors include Janet, his wife of 55 years; four sons - Dave (Stacie) Schooler of Tigard, OR, Steve Schooler of Portland, OR, Dan (Lorelei) Schooler of Tacoma, WA, Scott (Kristin) Schooler of Castle Rock, CO; son-in-law, Chuck Lehman of Vancouver; ten grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; one sister, Irene Norton of New Albany, IN; sister-in-law, Mary Lou Schooler of Columbus, IN; and many nieces and nephews. The family wishes to thank Emanuel and Mariana Soare of Sunshine Senior Care for the kind and dedicated care they provided at their home during the last month of Eugene's life. We are so very grateful for everyone's support and prayers. A funeral service will be held at Grace Lutheran Church in Vancouver on January 10, 2016 at 4:00 p.m., with a reception following. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts are suggested to Grace Lutheran Church or Grace Preschool.Please sign his guest book at: www.columbian.com/obits.

Eugene Edward Schooler

September 8, 1936 - December 22, 2015