Schmidt, Virgil P. (1935-2003)

Newton Kansan obituary: 2003 Feb 11 p. 2; 2003 Feb 12 p. 2

Birth date: 1935 Mar 24

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 2003 Feb 17 p. 8

text of obituary:

VIRGIL P. SCHMIDT

Virgil P. Schmidt, 67, of North Newton, Kan., died Feb. 10, 2003. He was born March 24, 1935, to Arnold T. and Marie G. (Flaming) Schmidt in Goessel.

He was raised on the family farm near Goessel and attended Greenfield Elementary School, Goessel High School and Bethel College in North Newton.

He married Doris Jane Mendel on Aug. 30, 1959, in Freeman, S.D.

He lived in Newton from 1959 to 1965, when he moved to North Newton. He worked at Hesston Corporation for 15 years, Excel Industries for 10 years and Kidron Inc. for five years prior to working for Bethel College as director of grounds for the last 15 years. He also operated Virg's Lawn Care for the last 30 years, doing landscaping and yard maintenance.

He was a member of Faith Mennonite Church of Newton. He enjoyed fishing and being outside.

Survivors include his wife, Doris; a son, Keith of Omaha, Neb.; two daughters, Kathy Steely of Hewitt, Texas, and Karma Kauffman of Tulsa, Okla.; a sister, Luella Schmidt of Hesston; two brothers, Arlo of rural Newton and Orville of Elbing; and five grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a sister, Wilma Schmidt.

Memorial services were held at Faith Mennonite Church. Burial was in Tabor Mennonite Church Cemetery of rural Newton.