Judy Schiller

For Judy Schiller, life was a journey — not just of miles and destinations, but of people, memories, and love shared along the way. After a long and graceful battle with kidney cancer, her earthly journey came to an end on October 6, 2025, at BridgePointe Health Campus in Vincennes, IN. But her family finds comfort in imagining the scene on the other side: her husband, Chuck, already waiting, grill fired up, ready to welcome her home.

Her journey began on May 10, 1947, when she was born to R. Keith & Imogene (Waldrop) Lindsey. She grew up in Oblong, where she learned resilience early on. As a child, she battled polio and spent time in Springfield recovering, but she came home determined to live fully. She poured herself into music, singing in the high school choir, playing piano, and bringing joy to everyone around her. She graduated from Oblong High School in 1965, already known for her strength, her smile, and her song.

Not long after, her greatest adventure began. On December 17, 1966, she married her high school sweetheart, Charles D. "Chuck" Schiller. Together, they raised two children (and a host of others who became like family) and built a home that was always open. At dinnertime, whoever happened to be there was welcome at the table. Judy's famous macaroni and cheese or meatloaf was often on the menu, and Chuck's deviled eggs right beside it (though, truth be told, he got the recipe from her!)

Judy worked for Farm Service early in life, then chose to stay home for several years to raise her children. These years were filled with laughter, homemade meals, and a revolving door of neighborhood friends. When the time was right, she returned to work, joining First Robinson Savings & Loan in 1988. She retired in 2011 as an executive assistant at First Robinson Savings Bank, but everyone knew her best as the woman behind the bank's Good Life Travel Club. With Chuck by her side, Judy led trips that reached all fifty states. She organized, encouraged, and laughed her way across the country, turning strangers into friends and friends into family. She wasn't just leading trips; she was leading people into joy.

Even when the suitcases were unpacked, Judy kept finding new ways to enjoy the journey. For her, shopping was a simple pleasure that became part of her own good life. Whether it was a Saturday spent browsing through stores in Terre Haute or Evansville, or a quick trip to The Latt in Robinson, she could turn a day of errands into a memory. She could shop for hours (and hours), always in search of the perfect outfit for her next destination.

And then, of course, there was eating out. Judy and Chuck loved it, not just for the food, but for the people. They couldn't walk into a restaurant without making their way around the room, stopping to talk and laugh with nearly everyone there, people who knew her by name. To some, she was Mama Schiller. To others, Miss Judy. She hugged freely, encouraged often, and loved without condition. She didn't always say what she felt, but you knew it (especially if you ever got the look.) She was honest, yes, but she was kind. Not unlike Jesus.

It should come as no surprise that faith guided the steps of her journey. She served in Sunday School and led the youth group at Central United Methodist Church in Oblong, where she also sang in the choir. Later, she and Chuck became greeters at Highland Church of Christ in Robinson, where their smiles helped countless people feel at home.

Even as her body weakened, her heart remained strong, still dreaming of the next adventure. In February 2025, she led her final trip — forty travelers to Hawaii — walker in tow, determination intact. It was one last grand adventure, and it was exactly how she wanted to finish: surrounded by laughter, sunshine, and loved ones. Her journey, like every great one, was never about the miles she traveled, but the hearts she touched along the way. And now, she's home, where every road ends and every story begins again.

She is survived by her children, Cary Schiller (Robinson, IL) and Cristi Schiller (Vincennes, IN); as well as several aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews. She will be especially missed by her "chosen family" and "travel family," who shared in so many of her adventures through life. She was preceded in death by her parents; her son, Chad Schiller (in infancy); her husband, Chuck Schiller; and her brother, Don Lindsey.

A time of visitation will be held from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 12th, at the Goodwine Funeral Home in Robinson. A memorial service will follow at 3:00 p.m., led by Pastors Phil Boyd and Mike McElyea. Burial will be in the Oblong Cemetery. In lieu of flowers and gifts, her family requests that memorial contributions be made to either the NOW Program (which provides weekend meals for local children) or to the On Eden's Wings Foundation (which helps families affected by infant loss). Memorial envelopes will be available at the funeral home.