Schmidt, Henry Becker (1901-1984)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1984 Nov 22 p. 2

Birth date: 1901 Jun 24

Text of obituary:

Retired Pastor, Peace Leader Dies At 83 in Kansas

Hesston, Kan.—H. B. Schmidt, a retired minister and counselor in peace and service, died Nov. 14 at the age of 83.

Schmidt served as pastor of the Tabor Mennonite Church, rural Newton, for 16 years and at the Hopefield Mennonite Church, Moundridge, for 12 years. He was pastor for five years at the Deer Creek (Okla.) Mennonite Church, and served as interim pastor at churches in Liberal and Buhler. In the early part of his working career, he was a teacher and principal in Marion County, Kan.

During World War II he began a peace counseling ministry for young men, visiting numerous Civilian Public Service camps. He later served 12 years on the Western District Conference peace committee, including nine as chairman. He helped place many men in alternative service positions during the Korean War. Later he became chairman of the Kansas division of Mennonite Disaster Service.

In 1958 he was called by the General Conference Board of Christian Service to full-time work as a youth counselor in peace and service.

He was married in 1925 in Goessel to Rose Schmidt. She lives at Hickory Homes, Hesston, where the couple moved in 1982.

Also surviving are a son, Don of hesston; two daughters, Fern (Mrs. Galen) Rudiger of Newton and Linda (Mrs. Jack) Stauffer of Newton; a brother, R. B. of rural Newton; and a sister, Augusta Schmidt of Newton. One daughter preceded him in death.

Funeral services took place Sunday morning, Nov. 18, at the Tabor Mennonite Church, with James Schrag officiating. The funeral service took the place of the regular Sunday worship at the church.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1984 Dec 20 p. 11

Text of obituary:

HENRY B. SCHMIDT

Henry Becker (H. B.) Schmidt was born June 24, 1901 in Marion County, Kan., to Jacob and Maria Schmidt. He went to meet God face to face on Wednesday evening, Nov. 14, 1984, at the age of 83.

On May 21, 1925, he married Rose Schmidt at the Tabor Mennonite Church. They engaged in farming, an enjoyment he pursued for many years. In 1982 they moved to Hickory Homes in Hesston, which was home until his death.

Although he enjoyed farming, he will be remembered for his teaching, counseling and preaching.

He was later drawn into the ministry. His first charge was at the Tabor Mennonite Church where he served for 16 years. He also served churches at Moundridge, Buhler, and Liberal, Kan., and Deer Creek, Okla.

His very nature was one of involvement. He became a leader in the area of social concerns, for many years serving as chairman of the Peace and Social Concerns Committee of the Western District Conference. He also devoted his efforts to MDS, serving as chairman of the Kansas chapter.

He will always be remembered for the hours spent counseling during the years of the federal draft. This work put him in contact with government officials who were in conflict with his peace position, yet many of them became his best friends.

As older age approached, he developed an interest in gardening. He also had time to pursue his real hobby, photography.

He is survived by his wife, Rose; their children, Don, Fern, and Linda, and their spouses; 15 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren; a sister, Augusta; and a brother, Rudolph.

We are sorry his life here on earth has ended, but rejoice in what that life was. He is now in a far better land, and we are glad for him.

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The Mennonite obituary: 1984 Dec 18 p. 616

Text of obituary:

H. B. Schmidt, a retired minister and counselor in peace and service, died Nov. 14 at the age of 83. Schmidt served as pastor of Tabor Mennonite Church, rural Newton, Kan., for 16 years and at Hopefield Mennonite Church, Moundridge, Kan., for 12 years. He was pastor for five years at the Deer Creek (Okla.) Mennonite Church and served as interim pastor at churches in Liberal, Kan., and Buhler, Kan. During World War II he began a peace counseling ministry for young men, visiting numerous Civilian Public Service camps. In 1958 he was called by the General Conference Board of Christian Service to full-time work as a youth counselor in peace and service. He was married in 1925 in Goessel, Kan., to Rose Schmidt. She lives at Hickory Homes, Hesston, Kan., where the couple moved in 1982. Also surviving are a don, Don, of Hesston; two daughters, Fern Rudiger and Linda Stauffer, both of Newton; a brother, R. B., of rural Newton; and a sister, Augusta Schmidt, of Newton.