Schmidt, H. A. (1881-1948)

Revision as of 13:32, 2 April 2014

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1948 Mar 11 p. 3

Birth date: 1881 Oct 12

text of obituary:

H. A. Schmidt, son of Andrew and Anna (Hiebert) Schmidt, was born October 12, 1881, at Marion county, Kansas. Here he attended the public schools and grew up to young manhood. He also attended the Hillsboro Academy, often known as the H. D. Penner school.

On May 22, 1904, he was baptized by Elder Peter Balzer and received into the membership of the Alexanderwohl church. In the year 1908 he joined the First Mennonite church of Hillsboro, whose faithful member he was at the time of his death.

September 5, 1907, he was married by Elder J. S. Hirschler to Mathilda Bartel who shared life with him for 40 years and five months, and who survives him. This union was blessed with two sons and three daughters, all of whom are living.

A few years of his life were spent in business at Galva and Hillsboro. However, he loved farming and so settled on a farm southeast of Hillsboro, where he resided at the time of his death.

He enjoyed fair health until six years ago, when a heart condition developed that required several months of hospitalization at a Newton hospital. This condition caused him to give up active farming but he never gave up his interest and activity in community affairs. He lent his full interest and energy to causes such as the home for the aged "Flour For Relief" etc., was active as township trustee, school board member and the like.

He dearly loved his church and served as trustee, Sunday School teacher and otherwise. His place on Sunday morning was seldom vacant. His friendly cheerful ways won him many friends in church and community. He was a wise and loving husband and father who cared for his family both physically and spiritually. He reached the age of 66 years four months and five days. He passed to his heavenly home on February 17.

He leaves to mourn his sudden departure his bereaved wife; three daughters, Mrs. Wilma Klassen, Newton, Laverna Schmidt, Topeka, Kansas, and Mrs. Ruby Hefley of Hillsboro; two sons, Harry and Orval, of Hillsboro; two sons-in-law, M. H. Klassen and M. V. Hefley; two grandchildren, Joleen and Orrie Klassen; and one brother, John A. Schmidt, Fresno, Calif., as well as many friends and relatives.

Funeral services were held Saturday, Feb. 21, at 2 p. m. in the Goertz Funeral Home with Rev. J. W. Vogt in charge, and at 2:30 in the Hillsboro First Mennonite Church. Clergymen were Rev. H. T. Unruh of Hillsboro and Rev. Lester Hostetler of Newton. Rev. Unruh's text was John 12:33, reading 2 Corinthians 5:1-10 and Romans 8:35-39 to supplement the text. A male quartet composed of J. A. Funk, Anton Knak, Jr., Frank Funk and Herbert Wiebe sang "Asleep in Jesus," "Resting Now" and "Eins ums andere wallen wir hinab ins Tal." "Crossing the Bar," a solo, was sung by Dr. A. K. Ratzlaff. He was laid to rest in the family plot in the local M. B. cemetery.