Cynthia R. Schierling

Cynthia R. “Cindy” Schierling (81), of Lebo, Kansas, died at home on May 21, 2024. She was born in Kingman, Kansas, in 1943, to Frederick Henry Tolar and Alma Louise Schoeneman. Cindy’s father, Fred, was killed in the European theater in WWII. She had no siblings. Cindy and her mother and stepfather, Jerrell Q. Russell, lived in Abilene, Kansas; Rankin, Texas; then settled in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Cindy spent her senior year of high school living abroad in Frankenberg-Eder, Germany as an exchange student. She became fluent in the German language. In the years following, she graduated with a B.S. degree from the University of Arkansas in 1964, a Masters degree from Kansas State University in 1966, and finally a Masters degree in Library Science from Emporia State University in 1984.

Cindy met her loving husband, John Schierling, on a blind date while attending Kansas State University. They were married on December 27, 1965, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Cindy and John began their married life in Denver, Colorado. They returned to Williamsburg, Kansas in 1968, later moving to Elmdale, Kansas in 1973. They moved to their current home in the Melvern, Kansas area in 1999. They celebrated 58 years of marriage together.

To this union, four children were born: Russell (Amy) Schierling of Mountain View, Missouri; Teri (Doug) Base of Ankeny, Iowa; Kevin (Michelle) Schierling of Circleville, Kansas; Carol (Ryan) Goekler of Emporia, Kansas. Their four children gave them 13 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren.

Though Cindy later spent 10 years as a teacher/librarian after raising her children, she was always a mother and homemaker first. Becoming “Gram” to her grandchildren was a highlight of her life. She selflessly gave of her time and energy to help after each grandchild was born, attended activities of all the grandchildren, and never turned down an opportunity to “be there” when needed.

Cindy gave her life to her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, in 1973 while living in Williamsburg. She was a woman so grounded in her faith. This was evidenced by her rising at 4:00 am each morning for quiet time, devotions, and prayer. She passed these spiritual disciplines on to her children each morning around the

breakfast table. She always unashamedly declared the gospel and her love of Jesus. She even proclaimed the gospel on her answering machine message.

Cindy’s absence will be greatly felt by all of her family and all who were blessed to know her.

Cindy is preceded in death by both of her parents and survived by her husband, John, and all of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

The memorial service will be held at Grace Community Church in Overbrook, Kansas, on Saturday, May 25, 2024. A visitation time with the family will begin at 10:00 am followed by the service at 11:00 am. Everyone is invited to stay for lunch at the church immediately following the service.

Memorial contributions may be made to Gideons International or the Overbrook Grace Community Church and sent in care of Jones VanArsdale Funeral Home, P.O. Box 43, Lebo, Kansas 66856. Condolences may be expressed at Vanarsdalefs.com