Schmidt, Ruth Krehbiel (1924-1957)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1957 Jul 4 p. 3

Birth date: 1924 May 3

text of obituary:

Services Held For Three Members Of Walton Family Killed In Auto Crash

MR. & MRS. ROLAND SCHMIDT AND SON MARK AMONG FIVE VICTIMS OF COLLISION NEAR MOUNDRIDGE

About 800 persons attended funeral services at the Tabor Mennonite Church north of Newton last Saturday afternoon for Mr. and Mrs. Roland Schmidt and son Mark, 6, who were instantly killed in a tragic auto accident west of Moundridge on Wednesday evening, June 26.

Also killed in the crash were Everett B. Sexton, 48, and John F. Meyer, 49, both of rural Abilene and occupants of the other car involved. It was one of the worst accidents in McPherson County history.

The Schmidts' eight-year-old son, John, was critically injured but is showing improvement at Mercy Hospital, Moundridge. He suffered fractures of one arm and both legs, and concussion.

A third son, four-year-old Timothy, was seriously hurt but is recovering, while Dean Sexton, 32, brother of Everett, was reported still unconscious Tuesday evening.

Returning From Visit

The Schmidts, residents of the Walton community, were returning from a visit with relatives and were traveling east on "Dutch Avenue." The other car came from the south and the collision occurred at the Eden Church corner. There were no witnesses.

In addition to their two sons, Roland and Ruth Krehbiel Schmidt are survived by his mother, Mrs. Frank Schmidt of Newton, four sisters and one brother; her parents, Mr. and Mrs. D. S. Krehbiel of Deer Creek, Okla., two brothers and one sister, and her grandmother, Mrs. Christine Schroeder of Deer Creek.

Officiating at the funeral were Rev. H. B. Schmidt of Newton and Rev. William Unrau of Deer Creek. Burial was made in the Tabor Church cemetery.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1957 Jul 11 p. 8

text of obituary:

ROLAND SCHMIDT

RUTH KREHBIEL SCHMIDT

MARK SCHMIDT

The uncertainty and brevity of life has again been brought before us in a very forceful way in the premature death of three of our loved ones.

From a wedding ceremony comes this quotation which we feel appropriately describes the relationship of these our loved ones whose stream of life has flowed from time into eternity: ". . . even as two streams coming down the hillside united their forces and run on together through the valleys enriching them as they go." This has indeed been true in the lives of Roland and Ruth.

Roland Schmidt was born on Oct. 6, 1920, to Mr. and Mrs. Frank Schmidt of Walton, Kansas. On June 11, 1939, he was baptized upon the confession of his faith and received as a member of the Tabor Mennonite church, where he remained faithful and loyal till his death.

He attended elementary and high school at Walton, and also attended Bethel College from 1939 to 1942.

Mrs. Ruth Krehbiel Schmidt was born on May 3, 1924, to Mr. and Mrs. D. S. Krehbiel in Halstead, Kansas, and later moved to Deer Creek, Okla. On June 5, 1938, she was baptized upon the confession of her faith and received as a member of the Deer Creek Mennonite Church, later transferring her membership to the Tabor Mennonite Church, where she too was faithful and loyal till her death.

Upon completion of her elementary and high school education she enrolled as a student at Bethel College. It was here that the lives of Roland and Ruth began to merge as they experienced together the joy of learning, and saw new horizons open before them.

This merging of their lives was consummated when they were united in marriage on Sept. 2, 1946, in the Bethel College Chapel by Rev. Herbert Miller, establishing their home on a farm near Walton, Kansas.

The Lord blessed their home by entrusting to their care three sons: John, age 9, now in critical condition in Mercy Hospital at Moundridge, Kansas; Mark, age 6, also deceased; and Timmy, age 4, in serious condition at Mercy hospital at Moundridge.

The lives of Roland and Ruth were characterized by an untiring and unselfish service which they rendered in their church and community. Both were very active in the work of the church. Roland was a Sunday school teacher for a number of years. He also enjoyed singing in the men's chorus. Ruth also took a great interest in music in addition to teaching in the Sunday school and in the Walton released time Bible school. Both took great interest in the work of missions, having a special interest and concern in the American Indians.

At the time of the tragedy which caused their death, they were returning from helping a sister in a neighboring community. Only eternity will reveal the fruits of their labors of love.

On the evening of June 26, 1957, the stream of their merged lives flowed into eternity. their lives in this world were abruptly ended in an automobile accident which also claimed the life of their son, Mark, age 6.

Mark was a pleasant and lovable young boy. Though too young to attend school, he had a great love for the Bible and bible stories. He took great inter3est in music, especially loving to sing, and was also very faithful in his music lessons.

Left behind to mourn their earthly less, but thanking God for the blessings received because the merged stream of Roland's and Ruth's lives flowed for a time through their valley, are their two sons, John and Timmy; Roland's mother, Mrs. Frank Schmidt, of Newton; his four sisters, Lily and husband M. D. Whitsett of Wichita, Velma and husband, Rudy Claassen of Newton, Olga and husband Dr. C. L. Conway, Glendale, Ariz., and Leona and husband K.J. Griffith of Iuka, Kansas; one brother Alvin and wife Wilma of Walton, Kansas; Ruth's parents, Mr. and Mrs. D. C. Krehbiel, Deer Creek, Okla.; her sister, Velma jean and husband John Balzer of Inman; two brothers Elton and wife Louise, Deer Creek, Okla. and Marlin and wife Valora of Lakin, Kansas; and Ruth's grandmother, Mrs. Christine Schroeder, Deer Creek, Okla.

The family expresses sincere appreciation for the many deeds of kindness shown to them and for the prayers by which they have been sustained. They solicit continued prayer, especially for John and Timmy who are life behind. — The Family.