John David Scherling

Funeral services for John David Scherling, age 84, of Milaca, will be held Tuesday, July 20, 2021 at 2 PM at Milaca Evangelical Free Church.  Visitation will take place one hour prior to the service at the church on Tuesday.  Private interment will take place at Wildwood Cemetery in Pillager, MN.  

John David Scherling passed peacefully into the arms of His beloved Lord and Savior, after several bouts with cancer, on the morning of July 13, 2021. He was born in Fargo, ND (the second child of Bill and Eleanor Scherling); raised in Bemidji, MN; married Delores Fultz Sept 2, 1961; and lived, ministered, or served in Brazil, Indonesia, the Persian Gulf, and Haiti. This loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin, friend, mentor and neighbor was a US veteran, pilot, author, civil engineer, Bible teacher, and diplomat.

David attended OHCC, BSU, NDSU, TEDS, and ATS, earning a BS in Civil Engineering, MA in Biblical Studies, and D.M., in addition to studying law, linguistics, and pilot training.

David, together with the love of his life, Delores, fulfilled their desires to serve the Lord full-time by ministering with Wycliffe Bible Translators for 14 years.  Later, he worked as an airport engineer for the State of Florida.  Upon his retirement, he returned to volunteer Christian service in Indonesia with World Team, at Mokahum Ministries with Oak Hills, and short-term projects in several countries.

Proud of his country, he served as a US Navy officer during the Vietnam War, and in the Army Corps of Engineers during Desert Storm.

He is survived by his wife of almost 60 years, Delores; three children: Valerie (Ed) Johnson of Papua, Indonesia; William (Toni) Scherling of Otsego, MN; and Steven (Catherine) Scherling of Bemidji, MN; 15 grandchildren; 5 great-grandchildren; sisters and brothers-in-law Audrey and Dick Michalicek of Clitherall, MN, Linda and Elden Lee of Coldwater, MI, and Jane and Daryl McCannell of Killarney, MB; many nieces and nephews, and close friends around the world.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Bill and Eleanor Scherling, and his older sister and husband, Evonne and Don Wallin.

His enduring legacy is his passion for world missions – sharing the good news of Christ to every tribe and nation. Any memorials received will be directed to missionaries engaged in that effort.