Schmidt, Joseph W. (1922-1960)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1960 Feb 18 p. 1

Birth date: 1922

text of obituary:

Institute President Called Away in Death After Brief Illness

DR. JOSEPH W. SCHMIDT, 38, DIED SATURDAY, FEB. 13 AT OMAHA, NEBRASKA

Omaha, Neb. — Dr. Joseph W. Schmidt, president of Grace Bible Institute in Omaha, left the scene of action through death on Saturday night, Feb. 13, after almost five years of consecrated and active service as president. He was 38.

For the past several weeks Dr. Schmidt had experienced headaches which became increasingly severe culminating in what the doctor diagnosed as a large deep seated tumor of the brain. His condition became critical on Friday evening Feb. 12, when he went into a coma from which he never recovered.

A memorial service was held at 10 a. m. Tuesday at Grace Chapel on the Institute campus. A second service was arranged for 2 p. m. Wednesday at the Zoar K. M. B. church near Inman, Kan., his boyhood home, with interment in the Zoar cemetery.

Dr. Schmidt's ministry was many-sided. As an able speaker he served in many Bible conferences, evangelistic services and youth meetings. Under his leadership Grace Bible Institute experienced a marked increase in enrollment, the construction and dedication of the new Grace Chapel, the liquidation of the school debt, the stabilization of the operating budget and initiation of a fund for a new men's dormitory.

Survivors include Mrs. Schmidt and five children, ages ranging from 14 to four, his mother, Mrs. Sarah Schmidt of Omaha; and a sister, Mrs. Allan Wiebe, a missionary in the Belgian Congo.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1960 Feb 25 p. 3

text of obituary:

Funeral Services At Inman Largely Attended

ESTIMATED 1,300 PERSONS ATTEND SERVICES FOR DR. JOSEPH W. SCHMIDT

Inman, Kan. — An estimated 1,300 persons attended funeral services at the Zoar K. M. B. church here Wednesday afternoon, Feb. 17, for Dr. Joseph W. Schmidt, 38, president of Grace Bible Institute in Omaha, Neb. who died unexpectedly Feb. 13.

The services were presided over by Rev. Arnold Ensz, the pastor. Rev. D. C. Pauls of Inman, who was pastor during the years of Dr. Schmidt's association with the Zoar church as a youth, gave the message. Rev. C. F. Plett of Doland, S. D. spoke on behalf of the K. M. B. Conference, and Rev. Frank Harder gave a brief message representing Grace Bible Institute.

Burial was made in the Zoar church cemetery.

Dr. Schmidt was associated with the Omaha school for 10 years, serving as president for the past five years. His death in Omaha on Feb. 13 was due to a brain tumor.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1960 Mar 3 p. 3

text of obituary:

Called Away In Death

Dr. Joseph W. Schmidt, 38, president of Grace Bible Institute, who died Feb. 13 after a short illness from a brain tumor. Dr. Schmidt was associated with the Omaha school for 10 years. An estimated 1,300 persons attended the funeral services at the Zoar K.M.B. church near Inman, Kan. Feb. 17.