Gustave Benedikt Schill

On May 31, 2025, Gustave Benedikt Schill died peacefully at his residence in Plano, Texas.

The relatives and friends of Gus are invited to his Mass of Christian Burial 10:00 AM, Saturday, June 21, 2025 at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, 120 Broad St, Charleston, SC. The Rite of Committal will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery. The family will receive friends the evening prior, June 20, between 5:00 and 7:00 pm at the James A. McAlister Funeral Home, 1620 Savannah Hwy., Charleston.

Gus was born in Charleston on September 3, 1942, to the late Mary Benedikt Schill and Joseph Spencer Schill. He grew up on the peninsula in Ansonborough then later lived in Radcliffborough. Summers were spent with his parents, grandmother, aunts, and four siblings on Station 26, near the "back landing" on Sullivan's Island. In his thick Charleston accent, he began many stories about his childhood with, "Over on the island..."

He graduated from Bishop England High School in 1960 and worked in Operations at the South Carolina State Ports Authority until retiring in the 1980's.

Gus was a loving son, brother, husband, proud father, and friend to many. He was charming, ever polite, and had an uncanny ease and willingness to engage in conversation with anyone he met. He will always be remembered for his kindness.

He was a devoted Roman Catholic who reminisced fondly about growing up in the old St. Joseph's parish on Anson Steet. Gus later belonged to Blessed Sacrament and Cathedral parishes and spent many years volunteering for weekly watches in the Perpetual Adoration Chapel at Blessed Sacrament Church. Gus was a genteel man of great faith, which provided him and his family with steadfast strength throughout life's tribulations. He also found great joy in a variety of musical genres, particularly classical, and amassed a large collection of albums and live concert recordings.

Gus was predeceased by his wife, Mary Condon Schill, who died in 2018 after an extended illness. He attentively managed the household during her illness, which was quite the role reversal for someone married to a retired nurse. Gus later moved to Plano, Texas to live near his daughter Ellen and her family. This move would be a shock to many Charlestonians at that late stage of life, but for Gus it was the genesis of a new lease on life! His retirement community and neighbors provided him with a continuous stream of social engagement and activities. Gus thrived in this new environment and eventually served as the Vice President of his community association. Everyone he encountered was delighted by his southern charm and engaging smile. He loved spending time with his daughter and her family on their weekly outings to concerts, parks, doctor's appointments, Sunday church services (Texas style), and all that the Dallas area has to offer. He also became a huge fan of the Dallas Cowboys and Texas Rangers. In the sunset of his life, he was engaged more than ever.

Gus is survived by his daughter Ellen Schandlbauer, her husband Ed and their two children, Ian and Emily, of Frisco, Texas; his son Ben Schill, his wife Katie and their two children, Lauren and Rebecca, of Norfolk, Virginia; brother Joseph Schill (Sheila - deceased), three sisters including his twin Patricia Hocutt (Bill), Carolyn Eiserhardt (Chuck), and Jeannie Hillock (Gordon), as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

His family would like to thank the loving staff at Prestonwood Court as well as the nurses from Kindful Health who cared for Gus in his final days.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Bishop England Endowment Fund, or to  the American Heart Association .

Arrangements by James A. McAlister, Inc. (843) 766-1365

If you plan to send flowers, we highly suggest using a local florist instead of ordering from an online vendor. Charleston has many. Kindly ask your florist to deliver all flowers to the funeral home between 10AM and 2PM, Friday, June 20th.