Gerald Schmidt
Obituary
Gerald "Red" Schmidt, 87,
passed away peacefully on Sunday (Feb. 7, 2016) at the home of his
son and wife, Doug and Mercedes Schmidt, in Hilton Head Island, South
Carolina. Death was due to complications from heart disease.
Red was born January 29, 1929, in
Goessel, to John and Elisabeth (Rempel) Schmidt. He married Irva
LaVonne Schmidt on December 22, 1949. She died on July 9, 2014.
Gerald was a member of the Bethel College Mennonite Church, North
Newton. An inurnment service will be planned for a later date.
Red was owner and operator of Newton
Concrete Products and was instrumental in the provision of material
and manpower for construction of the interstate highway in the state
of Kansas for over three decades. Using his personal and executive
gifts, Red also assisted in the relationship between Paraguay (South
America) and Kansas through the Alliance for Progress program for
many years. For a number of years Red also served faithfully as a
rural mail carrier in the Goessel community and is fondly remembered
for the many friendships nurtured during that time.
After moving to Hilton Head Island, Red
continued to share his expertise and background in construction. He
provided numerous services for the local community, including
excavation and construction ventures, large and small, for over 20
years. Remembered well for his positive and hard-working ethics, he
will always be an inspirational icon for those who were close to him.
Red was the youngest of 11 children.
His mother and two sisters reached the lifespan of more than 100
years before moving to heaven where Red has joined them now.
Preceding Red in death were his
parents; his wife Irva Lavonne; five brothers, Dr. Herbert Schmidt,
Orlando Schmidt, Dr. John Schmidt, Dr. Alfred Schmidt, and Raymond
Schmidt; four sisters, Frieda Banman, Wilma Unruh, Elisabeth Stretch,
and Irene Janzen; and a daughter-in-law, Jan (Lanier) Schmidt.
Survivors include a brother, Herman
Schmidt, age 98, of Reno, Nevada; two sons, Donavon Schmidt, and
Douglas (Mercedes) Schmidt of Hilton Head Island, South Carolina;
grandchildren Donavon Schmidt, Jr., and Aggie (Chad) Lawson, all of
Hilton Head Island; and Athina Schmidt of New York, Yew York; two
great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
Memorials are suggested to "Litter
Box of Hilton Head Island" or the Mennonite Heritage and
Agricultural Museum, 200 N. Poplar, Goessel, Kansas 67053.
