John Schmidt
1924 - 2016
Obituary
John D. Schmidt, 92, passed away on
Monday (May 23, 2016) at Kidron Bethel Healthcare. John was born in
Marion County on Jan. 29, 1924, to Daniel B. and Anna (Schmidt)
Schmidt. He was the fifth of seven children.
Growing up on a farm during the Great
Depression was a difficult time. John learned at an early age to earn
cash by whatever means were available to him. This involved hunting,
trapping and lighting the school house stove. He also traveled to
Colorado and Missouri to shuck corn. He later had the opportunity to
work as a farm hand in the Montezuma area. Here he developed
life-long friendships. John loved school, but was not able to finish
high school, completing his sophomore year at Goessel High School.
John served in the Army during World
War II as a non-combatant. Most of his time was spent in Egypt.
During this time he was able to visit the Holy Land and climb one of
the Great Pyramids. These are opportunities he always treasured.
After the war, he worked for Crossroads
Co-op. During this time, he met Linda Banman and they were married on
Sept. 16, 1954, at Goessel Mennonite Church. The newlyweds took up
residence in Newton. John continued to work for the co-op in various
capacities, from a large propane delivery route to management, until
retiring in 1986. He always had a close working relationship with
farmers and continued to supply them with seed for a number of years
following his retirement from the co-op.
Always a gardener, John maintained a
large garden at home and a huge one at the farm of his daughter and
son-in- law in Marion County. Many crops were lovingly planted,
tended and harvested. Much of this produce was canned or frozen by
Linda. For many years he was a vendor at the Newton Farmer's Market,
where he earned the nickname "Cucumber Schmidt." John and
Linda were avid travelers, visiting all 50 states, Canada, Mexico and
several countries in Europe.
John was a charter member of Faith
Mennonite Church, where he actively served in numerous capacities as
long as he was able to do so. He will always be remembered for his
children's stories at church. Another important ministry to him was
prison ministry. He first served with Upper Room Fellowship and later
the M-2 program. He was still visiting inmates at the Hutchinson
Correctional Facility until the age of 90. John was a member of the
Newton Rotary Club for 40 years, even serving a term as president.
John's wife, Linda, passed away on Feb.
24, 2015. Also preceding him in death were sister Martha and brothers
Danny, Clarence and Walter. He is survived by his children: Richard
(Pam) Schmidt of North Newton, Terri (Leslie) Wedel of rural Goessel
and Steve (Dawn) Schmidt of rural Moundridge; grandchildren: Bret
(fiancée Breckyn Dawson) Schmidt of Newton, Luke Schmidt of
Lawrence, Janessa (Neal) Walters of Andover and Lindsey Wedel of
rural Goessel; sisters: Mary Jane Janzen of North Newton and Alice
Janzen of Enid, Oklahoma; and a host of nieces, nephews and other
extended family.
Visitation with the family will be on
Tuesday, May 31, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Faith Mennonite Church, 2100 N.
Anderson Ave., Newton. Services will be held at Faith Mennonite
Church on Wednesday, June 1, at 11 a.m. Memorials have been
established for Faith Mennonite Church and Mennonite Central
Committee. Petersen Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
