Schmidt, Cornelius J. (1886-1955)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1955 Jul 7 p. 8

Birth date: 1886 Aug 21

text of obituary:

CORNELIUS J. SCHMIDT

My husband and our father, Cornelius J. Schmidt, the son of John D. and Marie (nee Reimer) Schmidt, was born in Russia on August 21, 1886, and departed this life to be with Christ his Saviour on June 26, 1955, attaining the age of 68 years 10 months, and five days.

He came to America with his parents in 1890 and they made their home near Buhler, Kansas. In 1893 his father homesteaded land in Washita county, Oklahoma, and moved his family there soon after that.

Here our father shared the many hardships of the pioneer days and received but meager schooling. From boyhood on he had to work hard to help make a living.

In 1909, as a young man, he realized his lost condition and received Christ as his personal Savior. He was baptized the same year and received into the fellowship of the Mennonite Brethren church of Corn, Okla.

He entered into holy matrimony with Susie Dick on Feb. 2, 1909. This union was blessed with three sons and three daughters. One son died at the early age of one year and four months, and one daughter, Marie, died after a long illness in 1937 at the age of 19.

He was a farmer all his life and enjoyed his work. The Lord blessed his efforts and he was able to provide well for his family.

In 1920 he bought a farm in the Bessie-Clinton community and affiliated wih the Mennonite Brethren church of Bessie, Okla. in this community we as a family enjoyed many happy years.

in 1947 he became seriously ill and had to submit to a major operation. He never fully recovered from this illness, and so we decided to retire and moved to Reedley, Calif. We joined the Mennonite Brethren fellowship there and have enjoyed many blessings. In 1954 he became ill again; the doctors diagnosed this ailment as cancer. Medical aid was sought at various places, but he became steadily weaker. He did not need to suffer much pain but complained often about his extreme tiredness. He was patient and at peace in his soul, trusting his Savior that he would be led aright. The last month or so, he pled with his heavenly Father to receive him home and to be released from his weakness and tiredness. Sunday morning, June 26, he was permitted to quietly fall asleep here to awaken in the presence of his Savior.

He was a loving and kind husband and father and was much devoted to his family. He was a man of prayer and was punctual in conducting daily family devotions. He was a quiet, peace loving man, and got along well with his fellowman.

He leaves to mourn his departure his wife, Mrs. C. J. Schmidt of Reedley, Calif.; two sons, Herbert Schmidt of Cordell, Okla., and John A. Schmidt of Reedley, Calif.; two daughters, Tillie, Mrs. Jacob W. Ediger of Reedely, and Eva, Mrs. Menno P. Sawatzky of Clinton, Okla.; two sons-in-law; two daughters-in-law; 13 grandchildren; three brothers, Abe H. Schmidt of Reedley; P. R. Duerksen of Corn, Okla.; John R. Duerksen of Clinton, Okla.; two sisters, Mary, Mrs. Pete Penner of Sentinel, Okla. and Tina, Mrs. Jake Harder of Corn, Okla.; ten sisters-in-law; eight brothers-in-law; and many other relatives and friends. — The wife and children.