Schoknecht, Gillis E.

Gillis Edward Schoknecht, 78, of Petersburg, died Thursday, December 7, 2006 at Walnut Hill Convalescent Center. Born March 30, 1928 in Milwaukee, WI, he was the only child of Edward and Louise Schroeder Schoknecht. As a youth, he was very active in Boy Scouts. He especially enjoyed being camp counselor during the summers. He earned Eagle rank in 1946 and remained a life long member until his death. Gillis was raised and confirmed as a Lutheran which provided him with a solid foundation for his strong faith. In 1946 he graduated from Washington High School in Milwaukee and enlisted in the U.S. Army in June. After basic training, he served in Japan for three years. Following Japan, he was assigned to Germany in 1950 and then went to Fort Lee in 1954. He was later assigned to Korea for two thirteen month tours from 1965 to 1968. He retired as Command Sergeant Major in 1968. While active in the service, Gillis took classes and graduated with a history degree from the University of Nebraska. Having retired from the Army after twenty two years of service, he started teaching in the Petersburg Public Schools. He retired from teaching American History in 1983. He is survived by two daughters, Kathy Landholt of Perryville, MO and Carol Dippold of Thebes, IL; son, Charles of Carterville, IL and nine grandchildren. A funeral service will be held on Sunday, December 10th at 1:30PM at the Petersburg Chapel of J.T. Morriss & Son Funeral Home & Cremation Service with a visitation to follow. Entombment will follow at a later date in Milwaukee, WI. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Boy Scouts of America, Heart of Virginia Council, 4015 Fitzhugh Ave Richmond, VA 23230. Condolences may be registered at www.jtmorriss.com