Schmidt, Irvin H. (1921-1942)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1943 Jan 7 p. 5

Birth date: 1921 Jun 29

text of obituary:

Local News

. . .

— At Elbing last Sunday the funeral of Private Irvin Schmidt, 21, son of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Schmidt, took place at the Zion Mennonite church. Irivn's death, which was the result of spinal meningitis, was entirely unexpected and came as a great shock to his family and friends. He passed away at the camp at Greenville, Miss., after an illness of only a few days. His father, who had been informed of his critical condition, hurried to his bedside but arrived there 10 minutes after he died. Irvin, like his parents was a member of the Missionary Church at Elbing.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1943 Jan 14 p. 3

text of obituary:

Irvin H. Schmidt

Irvin H. Schmidt was born at Protection, Kansas, on June 29, 1921. It was in the year 1924 that the following verse of Scripture was made precious to us. Matt. 18: 5 — "Whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me." On October 12 we received Irvin and his sister Pauline into our heart and home through the Kansas Children Home Society of Topeka, Kansas. He was a dear little chap and brought much sunshine to our home. We thank god that this priviledge {sic] was granted us for over eighteen years.

He received his early schooling at the Elbing grade and Whitewater high school, of which he graduated in May, 1940. At various times he attended the vacation Bible school, which was of great help to him in his spiritual life.

On September 17, 1933, he was baptized on the confession of his faith in Christ, and was received as a member into the Elbing Missionary church. He was faithful in his attendance in the Sunday school, church service, C. E., and prayer-meeting. Through his letters he expressed his appreciation for what they meant to him in his moral and spiritual life. At one time he wrote home, "I now realize more than ever my need of the Saviour."

He was called to the service of his country July 27, 1942, and was assigned to the Army Air Forces at Sheppard Field, Texas. Upon his graduation, he was transferred to the Greenville Army Air Flying School, Greenville, Mississippi. December 27 he was stricken with spinal meningitis, from which he did not recover, and departed this life on December 30th, at 9:50 P. M.

He is survived by his foster parents, Mr. and Mrs. H. B. Schmidt, and the following sisters and brother: Pauline of the home; Mrs. Frank M. Sawer, Ludell, Kansas; Mrs. T. O. Baird, Newton; Mrs. S. A. Johnston, Los Angeles, California; and Clyde Allphin Jr. Great Bend, Kansas; besides a host of relatives and friends. We shall greatly miss our dear Irvin.

"I cannot say, and I will not say
     That he is dead, — he is just away!
With a cheery smile, and a wave of the hand,
     He has wandered into a better land,

And left us dreaming how very fair
     It needs must be, since he lingers there.
And you — O you, who the wildest yearn
     For the old-time step and glad return, —

Think of him faring on, as dear
     In love of There as the love of Here;
Think of him still as the same I say;
     He is not dead — he is just away!"

Funeral services were held at the Zion Mennonite church, Sunday, January 2, at 3:00 P.M. with Rev. A. A. Schmidt, rev. H. J. Dyck and Rev. E. F. Ford officiating. Burial was made in the Missionary church cemetary [sic].