Kevin Robert “Zig” Schoolman, 68, of Gilman passed away on Thursday, April 24, 2025 at his home surrounded by his family after a courageous battle with cancer. Kevin was born on May 21, 1956 in Ft. Bragg, North Carolina, the son of Robert and Shirley (Marggart) Schoolman.

 

Kevin was a lifelong farmer and farmed many years with his father and brother, Greg, later establishing Schoolman Brothers Farms with Greg after their father's retirement.

 

Kevin loved farming, camping, his Harley, John Deere and Chevy trucks, even painting an old Chevy truck green and yellow. He especially loved combining. He also loved living in his log cabin in the timber, feeding the birds and deer, canoeing down the creek behind his home and sitting around the campfire.

 

He was a member of the Zion United Church of Christ. Kevin graduated from Gilman High School in 1974. He loved taking care of his chickens.

 

Kevin married Anita Runyon on September 9, 2000 on the same spot in the timber where they later built their log cabin.

 

Surviving is his wife, Anita, of Gilman; his daughter, Ashley (Pete) Fletcher of West Lafayette, IN; his son, Jarrod (Brittany) Schoolman of Gilman: his sister, Melody (Randy) Eimen of Gilman; his brother, Greg Schoolman of Gilman; two grandchildren, Callen and Timber Schoolman; step-daughter, Lacey ( Shane) Croegaert of South Carolina, four step-grandchildren, Lily (Cameron), Tristin, Caitlin, and Kenneth Croegaert; one step-great-grandchild, Rowan; many nieces, nephews, aunts, and cousins. Also surviving are his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Don and Shirley Runyon of Chatsworth; brothers-in-law, Keith (Lori) Runyon of Ohio and Kurt (Vickie) Runyon of Fairbury.

 

He was preceded in death by his parents.

 

Visitation will be held on Saturday, May 3, 2025 from 9:00 a.m. to the 11:00 a.m. memorial service at the Zion United Church of Christ in Gilman with Rev. Barbara Lohrbach officiating. Burial will be held in the Gilman Cemetery at a later date.

 

Memorials can be made to the donor’s choice.

 

Please share a memory of Kevin at www.knappfuneralhomes.com.