With heavy hearts, we share the passing of Col. Mark Curtis Schibler of Leaburg, OR.
What follows is written with love, by those who knew him best.
There are losses that teach us the weight of a life.
Lt. Col. Mark C. Schibler, USAF, Retired of Creswell, a highly decorated Vietnam War veteran who honorably served his country, died April 22, 2026. He was 85.
Schibler was born Nov. 14, 1940, in Manhattan, KS to Chester and Marjorie Schibler. The family moved to Oregon in 1945, living in the River Road area before moving to Leaburg. He graduated from Springfield High School in 1958 and attained his Bachelor of Science degree from University of Oregon in 1962.
Upon graduation, Schibler was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Air Force and attended pilot training in Arizona and then received helicopter training at Stead AFB in Reno, NV.
Schibler served as a Rescue Helicopter pilot for 17 years, with two tours of duty in Southeast Asia, where he saved many fellow servicemen from capture and carried wounded to field hospitals. He was awarded a Silver Star, the Distinguished Flying Cross with two oak-leaf clusters, and an Air Medal with twelve oak-leaf clusters. He was reassigned to Special Operations in 1980 while training for a second attempt to rescue hostages from the U.S. embassy in Iran. He served 10 years in Special Ops up to his retirement in 1990 with the rank of lieutenant colonel.
Just prior to retiring, Schibler married his high school sweetheart, Lois Alexander Copple of Creswell where they lived the entire 35 years of their marriage.
His hobbies included canoeing, fishing, shooting, cycling, water skiing and the outdoors.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by two daughters, Kari Schibler of Eugene, Tiffany Schibler of Jacksonville, FL, son, Chris, step-daughter, Marcia Copple of Bend, granddaughter Jennifer Ravencroft (John) grandson John Stuckrath (Jennifer) great granddaughter Rylee Lemley and great grandson Harley Stuckrath of Grants Pass.
