Sylvia Elaine Schlenker

August 17, 1937 - March 29, 2015
Sylvia Elaine Schlenker

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Sylvia Elaine Schlenker

Sylvia Elaine Schlenker passed away on Sunday, March 29, 2015 after a brief and unexpected illness. She was born on 17 August 1937 in Milford, Delaware to William David Waples and Mabelle Edith (Draper) Waples. Sylvia was raised in Pennsylvania and graduated from Upper Darby High School in 1956 and shortly thereafter married and had 3 children, Crystal, Gary and Barry. In October of 1971, Sylvia married Gerald (Jerry) A. Schlenker. Jerry brought 4 children into this union, Jerry Jr., Bill, Laurie, and Connie. In 1974, Timothy joined the family. On October of 2015, Sylvia and Jerry would have been married for 44 years.

Sylvia and Jerry moved numerous times over the years, and therefore have many friends throughout the country.

Over the years Sylvia enjoyed participating in Toastmasters, drawing, writing poetry, stories, and visiting with friends.

An excerpt taken from some of Sylvia?s writing goes like this:

?Sylvia always wanted to help others and felt badly for those less fortunate than she. Yes, a crusader for the underprivileged and the less fortunate. It was this thought in mind that she ran for Mayor of a small town in Minnesota in 1976. At that time, she was working for the local Police Department and the Sheriff?s Department, acting as matron for the female prisoners.

Another time, she was near death and Sylvia decided that life was too short to do just what had to be done. She and her family should do some of the enjoyable things and not wait for retirement?.which might never come. She and her husband began taking flying lessons. The family began taking trips and sometimes relocating for a couple of years at a time in different parts of this country of ours. This proved to be very educational and a much more interesting way to learn about our country than merely reading about it in books.

Because this happened so much over the years Sylvia?s mother-in-law began to call the group her ?gypsy family? and her mother began keeping their address on a paper clipped to her address book.

There were times when one of the grown children needed Sylvia. One such incident involved a trip of about 1,000 miles almost straight through in order to arrive in the necessary amount of time. Sylvia and the 3 youngest children made the trip.

CRAZY?..people called her. Adults and families who had more stress and difficulty than they felt that they could handle were welcomed into her home. Sylvia and her family were more than willing to share what they had with others. She was remembering the advice of a friend who had once helped her. The advice was?..?just do the same for others???just give back!!!!! It is more blessed to give than to receive.?

She is survived by all of her children, Crystal (Kent) Johnson, Gary (MarieLynn) Schlenker, Barry Schlenker, Jerry Schlenker, Jr., Bill (Belinda) Schlenker, Laurie Russell, Connie Schlenker, Tim Schlenker and numerous grand children and great grand children. She is also survived by her younger twin brothers, Bob (Rita) Waples, Ted (Brenda) Waples and nieces and nephews. Sylvia was predeceased by both of her parents, and a nephew.


Service

Wednesday, April 1, 2015
12:00 AM - 12:00 AM

Florida National Cemetery - Directions
6502 SW 102nd Avenue
Bushnell, FL 33513
(352) 793-7740

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  • March 30, 2015
    The Staff of Michels and Lundquist Funeral Home says:
    Offering our deepest condolences during this difficult time.

  • March 31, 2015
    Don/Len Nelson/Danielson says:
    Sylvia, our dear, dear friend. Go in Peace, lovely lady. You've earned your rest and rewards in heaven. You will be so very, very missed by all who had the great pleasure in knowing you. Goodbye dear, dear, friend

  • March 31, 2015
    Gary & Marie Schlenker says:
    May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

  • March 31, 2015
    Bob & Rita Waples says:
    My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.

  • March 31, 2015
    Laurie Russell says:
    Take comfort in knowing that now you have a special guardian angel to watch over you.

  • April 01, 2015
    Your loving Sister & Aunt Shirley says:
    Although I can't be with you while you remember your loved one, you're in my thoughts from afar.

  • April 03, 2015
    Mary Lou Kortan says:
    So sad to hear of the passing of my old high school chum. Though we were miles apart, it was so nice to share our frequent emails. I will miss them.