“You’re dating Schlie? Really?!” After about the third person asking Abbie this, she turned to David and incredulously laughed, “What did you do?” …and the Legend that is David Schlie was formed.

David John Schlie, age 56, entered the world on Saturday, October 11, 1969. The youngest of seven children born to the late David S. and Elaine Schlie, he learned from a young age to be adaptable while maintaining his independent spirit. Born in Albany, GA, his family returned to Ft. Wayne, IN when he was a toddler. Growing up, he loved playing with his siblings, especially his closest brother. Living next door to Bethlehem Lutheran where his father was the pastor, David had many fond memories of attending school there, his favorite being when Bethlehem beat cross-town rival Holy Cross for the basketball city championship his eighth-grade year.

David excelled at a variety of sports, but basketball and golf were the two that were his passion. At Concordia Lutheran High School, he led the basketball team in scoring, earning a scholarship to play basketball at Concordia College in Seward, NE. As a golfer, he was consistently the lead player on the links, which he then played in college too. His college golf coach once said, “He has the even temperament which is needed to play golf, and his ability to focus his attention keeps his game steady.”

An introvert by nature, David learned how to include others and loved hanging around fun people. People were drawn to his dry sense of humor, quick wit, sage advice, and kind heart. Rather than large gatherings, he loved to operate in small groups and form deep rooted friendships.

Upon graduating college, David accepted a call to teach at Bethany Lutheran grade school in Houston, Texas. While there, he taught middle school history and P.E. along with taking on the role of athletic director and coach in a variety of sports. He learned quickly that coaching 5-6th grade girls’ basketball was very different than coaching 8th grade boys! He was very active at Bethany, joining their church softball and basketball teams and participating in the Lutheran Bowling League.

In 1996, he accepted a Call to teach history and coach varsity basketball at Lutheran High North in Houston. Attending the before-school workshop for the high school association, a friend called over to him, “Hey, Schlie! Have you met Abbie yet? She taught in Ft. Wayne before. You’re from Ft. Wayne, right?!” The set-up was obvious, but David went along and started talking with this young teacher from Lutheran South. They hit it off instantly and stayed up all night talking. One minute they didn’t know each other; the next minute they were complete.

David married Abigail Difatta on July 25, 1998. She often describes him as her “puzzle piece,” two hearts that immediately clicked together and were locked in place perfectly. Always up for an adventure, David would plan impromptu weekend trips to see the sights, a night out with friends playing spoons or other games, dining at one of Houston’s many restaurants, or sitting back and enjoying his backyard with a cold one in hand.

In May of 2000, they welcomed their first daughter, and David loved being a dad. Being with family was always a priority to David, so he made the decision to leave Houston and move to be closer to their families so that his children would know their cousins and aunts and uncles. Therefore, he and Abbie accepted teaching positions at Christ Our Savior Lutheran High School in Evansville, IL. Leaving the big city, David embraced country life, a truck, and working in a small school. While there, their second child was born.

In 2005, the Lord called him again to move the family as he accepted a teaching and coaching position at Milwaukee Lutheran High School. Shortly after moving there, the family grew again as they added another son to the family in 2006. David joked that they weren’t moving again; however, their family was made complete when their second daughter was born in 2008.

Being a dad was one of David’s greatest joys. He had a way of making each child feel special. He loved to keep them busy and invented a plethora of activities for them. He planned annual boys’ camping trips. Hiking became another family activity…and travel. David loved to engage the kids in long road trips filled with stops and activities—some planned and others impromptu—along the way. His goal was to see all fifty states. Every trip always involved ferreting out the best ice cream shops or bakeries for pie along the way. The kids always loved when Dad said, “We’re going on an adventure!”

The Lord was not done with David yet, though, and again he and Abbie were Called to teach at Lutheran High School in Indianapolis. Three days after accepting their Calls, David was diagnosed with an uncommon form of lymphoma. Undergoing very aggressive treatment, he went into remission, and the family moved to Indy. He loved gardening in his backyard, finding new adventures, developing curriculum for his students, and witnessing his beloved IU Hoosiers win the National Championship. Unfortunately, the cancer continued to return, and every time he battled valiantly until the end. After his oldest son promised to be the man David taught him to be, David passed away peacefully in his home in the arms of his wife on Thursday, March 19, 2026.

David leaves a legacy of faith for all those who have known him. From those who sat in his high school theology classes to those who sat in his adult Bible classes in church to those who heard his chapel messages, David loved to teach others about his Lord. He appreciated a good glass of whiskey, a campfire, and talking about Jesus, life, and golf. When asked to which passage he turned, he responded with Joshua 1:9: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”

David was preceded in death by his parents David and Elaine Schlie, brother and sister-in-law Sam and Linda Schlie, and father-in-law David Difatta. He is survived by his wife Abigail Schlie; children Emma, Benjamin, Steven, and Evelyn Schlie; sister Gail Luley (Paul Nicolaysen), brother Peter Schlie, sister Susan (Ernie) Hauser, sister Jane (Joel) Koehler, and brother Joe (Suzy) Schlie; mother-in-law Connie Difatta, sister-in-law Becky (Andy) Efird, and brother-in-law John (Maria) Difatta; and a multitude of nieces and nephews.

A Service of Praise and Thanksgiving* will be held on Saturday, March 28, 2026 at 3:00pm (CST)

Immanuel Lutheran Church

13445 Hampton Rd.

Brookfield, WI 53005

Following the service, Abbie and the children invite you to join them for a time of fellowship and sharing in the gymnasium.

*The service will also be live streamed via Immanuel’s YouTube page/website: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVHTU1Vc9ADSPiKS1jlFpeg

Memorials may be made to Lutheran High School of Indianapolis, 5555 S. Arlington Ave., Indianapolis, IN 46237. https://www.lhsi.org/support-lhs/give-now.cfm