Schmidt, John Unruh (1890-1958)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1958 Feb 20 p. 6

Birth date: 1890 Oct 27

text of obituary:

. . .

— Funeral services were held Friday afternoon at the Buhler Mennonite Church for John U. Schmidt, 67, cabinet maker of Hutchinson who died Feb. 10 at Grace Hospital there. The services were in charge of his pastor, Rev. L. J. Metzger of the First Mennonite Church in Hutchinson. Mr. Schmidt was a native of the Goessel community.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1958 Apr 3 p. 8

text of obituary:

JOHN UNRUH SCHMIDT

John Unruh Schmidt, son of Jacob A. and Anna Unruh Schmidt, was born Oct. 27, 1890, on a farm near Goessel, Kansas. On May 30, 1909, he was baptized and received into the membership of the Tabor Mennonite Church by Rev. H. R. Voth.

John U. Schmidt was a member of a party from the Tabor and Alexanderwohl churches that homesteaded in Idaho. John and his brother David J. left to homestead in Dubois, Idaho in 1914. From Idaho he was called into the service for three and one-half years during the World War I.

When the First Mennonite Church of Hutchinson, Kansas was built he was one of the workmen from the neighboring churches who assisted with the construction. While working on this project he met Marie Elva Gaeddert and they were united in marriage May 7, 1922, in the Hoffnungsau Church by Rev. A. J. Dyck. To this union were born two sons, Raymond Eugene, now of Borger, Texas and Richard Lee of Joplin, Missouri.

John departed this life very suddenly Monday, Feb. 10, 1958, leaving to miss his congenial presence his widow, two sons and their wives, five grandchildren, and one brother David J. of Aberdeen, Idaho. His parents, two sisters and two brothers preceded him in death.

He was a cabinet maker and his greatest joy was to design and build in wood. He took great pride in his work. He held a position at the Woodwork Mfg. Co. of Hutchinson, Kansas for 26 years before retiring at the age of 66 in November 1955.

John was a charter member of the First Mennonite Church of Hutchinson and remained a faithful and active member until his death. From time to time he held various offices on the church board. He was a lover of good music and enjoyed singing. He sang in quartets and was a faithful member of the church choir.

He was a faithful and loving husband, father and grandfather. His sense of humor added much joy and encouragement in the home and among his friends. His presence will be missed by the family and his friends.