Gene Schiffler

Gene Schiffler

1932 – 2016

 Gene Schiffler, 83 of Filer, Idaho passed away July 25, 2016 at home surrounded by his loving family.

Gene was born September 24, 1932 in Geneva Nebraska to R.W. and Lydia Schiffler.  When he was seven months old, his parents moved their family to New Meadows, Idaho and in later years moved and settled in Filer.  He attended schools in Filer, graduating from Filer High School in 1950. 

In 1952, Gene married Gloria Sackett and they farmed in Filer, raising their three children, Daniel, Davy and Gina.  After a tragic accident and losing Davy, Gene accepted a job in Denver with Swift & Co. as a sheep buyer in 1960, and moved his family to Denver.  In January 1962, he was transferred to Ogden, Utah where he worked for the Ogden Stockyards, moved his family and they welcomed their son Kelly.

In 1969, he began his career in life insurance for Globe Life where he quickly became one of their top producers.

In 1975, Gene and Gloria moved back to Twin Falls for the purchased Rancher’s Auction and he continued to sell insurance. He operated Rancher’s Auction until he later sold out to Twin Falls Commission Company, from here he retired from the livestock business to pursue a full-time career in selling insurance. He partnered in business with his daughter Gina at Cedar Draw Assisted Living Center… And was later joined by his oldest granddaughter, Colby where they became partners in Schiffler & Fiala insurance, where Gene would later retire from the insurance world.

Throughout his entire life, Gene was very involved in Rodeo.  He began in his early teens as a Calf Roper, a Rodeo Clown, was called upon to judge many rodeos, then ended his career as a Team Roper.  He traveled many miles and many years, rodeoing and making memories with some of the best cowboys in the industry.  He was the President and Founder of the Wilderness Pro Rodeo Circuit for many years.  He was team roper until he retired with his best friend and partner Rusty Houtz, when both of them were no longer physically able to continue.  He was inducted into the Southern Idaho Pro Rodeo Cowboys Hall of Fame, as well as the Southern Idaho Livestock Hall of Fame.  Gene served on Producers Livestock Board of Directors, the Twin Falls County Fair Board, and the Twin Falls County Rodeo Board.

One of his greatest accomplishments was qualifying for the National Senior Pro Rodeo Finals in Elko, Nevada in 2004 in the team roping with Rusty.

Gene was larger than life, never knew a stranger and if you were his friend, it was for life.  He was very much loved and well respected and will be missed by all who knew him.

Gene is survived by his loving wife Gloria, children Dan (Diane) Schiffler of Jerome, Idaho, Gina (Steve) Beach of Filer, Idaho, Kelly (Kally) Schiffler of Jerome, Idaho, 7 Grandchildren, Colby Fiala of Filer, Sarah Depew of Bozeman, MT; Dustin Schiffler of Middleton, Zachary Schiffler of Jerome, Shane Beach of Filer; Kala Tate of Jerome; Stewart Schiffler of Twin Falls, and 15 great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents Wes and Lydia Schiffler, brother Vernon Schiffler, and son Davy Schiffler.

Visitation for Gene will be held Friday, August 5, 2016 from 5 to 8 PM at Parke’s Magic Valley Funeral Home 2551 Kimberly Rd., Twin Falls. Funeral services will be held Saturday, August 6, 2016 at 2:00 PM at the Twin Falls Reformed Church 1631 Grandview Drive, Twin Falls, Idaho with Interment following services at Sunset Memorial Park Cemetery in Twin Falls, Idaho.

All services and arrangements are under the direction of Parke’s Magic Valley Funeral Home of Twin Falls, ID. Those wishing to share memories and condolences may do so on Gene’s memorial webpage at www.magicvalleyfuneralhome.com.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that you choose a charity of your choice and donate in Gene’s name.