Orville E. Schmidt
1928 - 2020
Obituary
Orville Eugene Schmidt, of rural
Newton, went to his eternal home on Friday (Jan. 10, 2020). He was
born Sept. 21, 1928, in Newton to Arthur H. Schmidt and Edna M.
(Briggs) Schmidt.
Orville was a 1946 graduate of Newton
High School and attended Kansas State University until being called
back home to help manage the family farm along with his brother. On
Oct. 8, 1950, he was united in marriage to Elizabeth (Betty) V.
Jones. From this union, he and Betty had three children: Ricky L.
Schmidt (deceased), Larry T. (Diana) Schmidt of rural Sedgwick and
Jill A. (Tony) Gonzalez of rural Newton.
Orville was a farmer, dairyman and
agri-businessman. He was a member and past president of the Harvey
County Extension Board, and the Harvey County and Newton City Three
Mile Area Planning Commission. He was one of three men who organized
the Sand Creek Watershed, holding a position as officer for 30 years.
He was also a member and past president of the Harvey County Rural
Life Association. In 1974, he was elected to the Harvey County
Commission (1st District) and served as commissioner one term. He
helped Blue Jet Manufacturing develop deep placement of fertilizer on
their equipment, preventing run-off of fertilizer into ground water
and was a distributor for the state of Kansas. He was a member of the
Salem United Methodist church where he served as trustee, usher and a
member and past president of the Wibands Sunday school class. He also
made several trips to Guatemala on mission trips.
Orville was an avid fisherman who
insisted as few as two years ago to make certain that there were
enough fish in the freezer to allow two meals of fish per week for a
year. He enjoyed fishing from the stocked pond on the farm and from
the watershed lake that he owned, located in Coffey County. He
enjoyed having family and friends visit the watershed lake. There
were many spring and summer holidays enjoying multiple water sports
at the watershed. He and Betty had the opportunity to travel much of
the United States and Canada, enjoying the fifth wheel camping life.
He had a great love for the arts and music. Rarely was a basketball
game missed, especially KU basketball, sometimes requiring tuning in
to the television and also the radio at the same time to assure that
he didn't miss a game.
Orville was preceded in death by his
parents; and one son, Ricky.
He is survived by his wife Betty; his
son, Larry; daughter Jill; sister, Virginia R. Payer-Olson of
Wichita; brother, Robert M. Schmidt of rural Newton; eight
grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and three
great-great-grandchildren.
Funeral service will be 11 a.m.
Wednesday (Jan. 15, 2020) at Salem United Methodist Church in Newton,
with The Reverend Ron Kite and Chaplain Tal Tittsworth presiding.
Visitation will be 5 to 9 p.m. Tuesday (Jan. 14, 2020) at Petersen
Funeral Home, with the family receiving friends from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
The family will have a private interment.
Memorials are suggested to Salem United
Methodist church or Good Shepherd Hospice in care of Petersen Funeral
Home.
