Schmidt, David H. (1880-1942)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1942 Dec 17 p. 3

Birth date: 1880 May 9

David H. Schmidt

David H. Schmidt was born May 9, 1880, in McPherson county, Kansas, and died Dec. 5, 1942, at his home near Montezuma, Kans., at the age of 62 years, 6 months and 26 days.

When still a boy he moved with his parents from McPherson county to Marion county, where he grew to manhood.

Later he went to Pawnee Rock, Kans., where he met Mary Unruh, whom he chose for his life's companion and shared joys and sorrows with her for 35 years.

In 1911 they moved to Greensburg, Kans. Then in 1920 they moved to Montezuma where he lived until the Lord called him home. In the year 1921 he felt his lost condition and the need of a Saviour. He repented and was baptized upon the confession of his faith and added to the Church of God in Christ Mennonite on May 9, 1921, in which church he remained a member till his death.

David Schmidt was a loving husband and father, a good citizen and liked by all who knew him. He provided well for his household, reaching out a helping hand to the poor. He especially loved to visit the sick and took much interest in attending funerals of relatives and friends far and wide. As a member of the church he did not follow the trend of the world but earnestly contended for the faith of our fathers.

He enjoyed fair health until Saturday afternoon, Dec. 5, when he complained of a pain in his chest, which proved to be a heart attack which also caused his death. He died suddenly and unexpectedly Saturday at 4:30 P. M. He leaves his deeply bereft wife; one daughter, Mrs. Irma Whitsell; four grandchildren; two brothers, Ben Schmidt of Winton, California; and Enoch Schmidt of Copeland, Kans.; five sisters, Mrs. Sarah Ratzlaff, Mrs. Lena Koehn, Mrs. Susie Dirks, Mrs. Minnie Schmidt, all of Montezuma, Kans., and Mrs. Eva Unruh of Durham, Kans., also a host of relatives and friends to mourn his so sudden and unexpected departure. We mourn but not without hope, but believe that he has gone to those mansions of glory where we expect to meet him at the Father's right hand.

Dear father so suddenly passed to yonder shore;
Here on earth we shall greet him no more,
Though our hearts do ache till they nearly break,
For one whom Jesus saw fit to take.
We humbly to God's promises cling,
Which to our lonely hearts sweet comfort bring.

God saw fit to take him from us,
Into heaven's glories so high;
Angels took him, Oh so suddenly
With no time to say good-bye.

Funeral services were held Thursday, Dec. 10, in the Montezuma Mennonite Church. Opening and prayer were made by Minister Edd Frank of Copeland. Text by Minister John A. Koehn; on which he spoke comforting words. Burial in the church cemetery.