Schmidt, John J. (1876-1959)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1959 May 28 p. 8

Birth date: 1876

text of obituary:

JOHN J. SCHMIDT

John J. Schmidt, son of Jacob and Christian Schmidt, was born in Austria. At the age of eight he came to America with his parents and they settled in Marion County, Kansas. Since they were very poor, our father had to work for other people in his boyhood days.

As a young man he came to Corn, Okla. where he was united in holy matrimony to Anna Dick. This union, which lasted 53 years, five months, and 15 days, was blessed with nine children, three daughters and six sons.

At the age of 31 father found peace in the Lord Jesus Christ and in the same year we followed the Lord in baptism.

We spent our first years on a farm near Corn, Okla. We had great joy in serving the Lord together. During the depression years we decided to move to the West Coast. In 1936 we came to Reedley, Calif. where we have made our home the last 23 years.

Our father enjoyed comparatively good health and during many years of hard labor he worked daily to support his family. During the last months of his life he suffered a few slight heart attacks. About three weeks ago he was taken to the hospital where he received the best of care. Friday morning, Mary 15, 1959, at about 8:00, the final call came and he was ushered into eternity to meet his Lord. He reached the age of 83 years, one month and 24 days.

Those who remain to mourn at his passing are his wife, Mrs. Anna Schmidt of Reedley, three daughters, Susie, Mrs. Henry E. Voth of Reedley, Annie, Mrs. Peter Sawatzky of Wenatchee, Wash., and Martha, Mrs. Waldo Peters, Reedley; six sons, John H. and Jacob of Reedley, Edwin of Wenatchee, Wash., Albert of Reedley, Sam of Dinuba, and Elmer of Fresno; 18 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; four daughters-in-law, three sons-in-law; three sisters, Emelia, Mrs. D. B. Heinrichs of Weatherford, Okla., Mary, Mrs. Peter Kroeker of Reedley, and Susie, Mrs. Bergen of Hutchinson, Kan.; nine brothers-in-law and eight sisters-in-law.

The memorial service was held May 19 at 2 p.m. in the Reedley Mennonite Brethren church with Rev. Dan Friesen and Rev. J. J. Wiebe officiating.