Lynn James Schimmels, an elegant and skilled educator who shared his love of literature and nature with legions of students and friends through the classroom, out-of-doors and printed word, died Monday, March 22, 2021 at his Antigo home under the care of his family, friends and the LeRoyer Hospice. Lynn had celebrated his 96th birthday with music and dancing in August.

His was a life well-lived. A child of the Great Depression, Mr. Schimmels was born in Milwaukee on Aug. 13, 1924, a son of Joseph and Florence (Younker) Schimmels. He graduated from Messmer High School in 1942 and months later found himself in the U.S. Navy at the height of World War II, seeing action in the South Pacific aboard the USS Meriwether, an assault, personnel, attack ship.
Following his honorable discharge in 1946, he attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison on the G.I. Bill, graduating with his education degree with an emphasis in literature and writing. His first teaching job was in Iron River, Wisconsin. He loved the area, especially the shores of nearby Lake Superior, and returned there often, attending the class reunions of students he taught up to a handful of years ago.

His long association with the Antigo school district began in 1954, when he was hired to teach 11th grade English. A precise writer and avid reader, he brought that enthusiasm to thousands of students, many who remember him fondly decades later.
He expanded his horizons in the mid-1960s, leaving the classroom to sell textbooks and other educational materials, but by the 1970s he was once again an Antigo Red Robin, encouraging new legions of learners until his retirement in 1988.
During retirement, he also lived in Reed City, Michigan where he tutored students at Ferris State University before returning to Antigo.

Although he left the formal educational setting, he never stopped teaching and learning. He was among the early supporters of the Ice Age Trail and regularly took part in the local chapter outings. He injured himself on one such excursion while skiing, requiring an improvised rescue. It was a story he loved to relay to friends, and it seemed more and more harrowing with each revisit.
An avid birder, he was a member of the Audubon Society and the Wisconsin Society of Ornotheology, annually participating in the Christmas Bird Count. He could identify many bird species by their appearance or song, and just weeks ago was coaching Marge Gibson, founder of the renowned Raptor Education Group Inc., on the hoots and calls of long-eared, saw-whet and barred owls.
He became known to an entirely new generation of students as a writer for the Antigo Daily Journal's PrimeTimes magazine, where he penned a column for many years. It was obsequiously a nature column, but he ventured far past the usual reportorial facts into poetry, literature, and art. It was among the most popular columns in the newspaper and he chuckled at the many pieces of fan mail he garnered. A precise scrivener, he surrendered in irritation one time when asked to edit a friend and fellow writer's book on history and horse racing. "You never take the advice I offer you," he exclaimed.

Lynn was always on the move, physically as well as mentally. It would be only a slight exaggeration to suggest he knew almost every corner of Langlade County, happily sharing his knowledge with all who asked. He loved to discuss writing and authors, gifting family and friends with books on everything from history and nature to philosophy and poetry. He tailored his suggestions to his audience, recommending a series of excellent female authors to one reader and a book of poems by Billy Collins, among his favorites, to another.

Lynn cherished beautiful things, whether it be a piece of writing, a Cedar Waxwing in a tree or time with companions watching a Packer or Badger game or the Kentucky Derby. He was affronted when he turned 80 years old and, driving by a friend's house, saw the family setting up for a party. "They didn't invite me," he complained, only to learn moments later it was a surprise for his birthday. Those fetes continued through 90, 95 and 96, always with the music of Joe Fittante and friends, most especially the MLC Blues Band.

While Lynn enjoyed nature, music, literature, fun, and friends, he cherished his family above all else.
He married Elaine Francis Sorlie, known as Inky, October 21, 1950 in Dubuque, Iowa, and they enjoyed many happy years until her untimely death on Feb. 15, 1974.

Survivors, include a daughter, Christine Lynn (John) Spute, retired from the National Park Service who splits her time between Antigo and Gustavus, Alaska, and a son, John Schimmels of Antigo, who followed his father into education and retired this past summer after 32 years as a fourth-grade teacher in the Antigo school district, daughters, Sarah (Major Paul, USMC) Clifford of Southern California and Rachel Schimmels of Eastern Michigan and a son, Paul Schimmels of Eastern Michigan.
Grandchildren include Matilda, Makayla and Ezra.

He is also survived by a sister-in-law, Myra of Luxembourg, along with many nieces and nephews, and countless friends and people whom he has touched through his wisdom, writings, and actions.
In addition to his parents and spouse, he was preceded in death by a brother, Donald, this past summer; a sister, Carol Blommer, last spring and her husband, Carl.

A funeral service will be held on Monday, March 29 at 1:30 p.m. with Rev. Charles Hoffman at the Bradley Funeral Home. Visitation will be Monday from 11 a.m. to the time of service with Antigo Veterans standing honor guard from 1 to 1:30 p.m. all at the funeral home.

Lynn will be buried beside his wife, Inky at Forest Hill Cemetery in Eau Claire on Tuesday, March 30 at 11 a.m. where he will receive Military Honors.

A celebration honoring Lynn is planned in Antigo on August, 21st remembering him on what would have been his 97th birthday. All of his family and friends are invited to attend, and to share stories, laughter and enjoy the wonderful memories of a truly exceptional man.

"To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children...to know that one life has breathed easier because you lived. This is to have succeeded."
Ralph Waldo Emerson

The family would like to say special thanks to LeRoyer Hospice, Hands with Heart, and Jenny Ashbeck, for their exceptional love and care of dad, Joe Fittante, for the every Friday Kolaches, and all the friends who called and visited.

To watch the recording of Lynn's funeral service please go to: https://youtu.be/Bj1LuDISy3o

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