Melvin W. Schmidt

Melvin W. Schmidt, age 84, of Kearney died Thursday, November 18, 2010 at the Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney.Funeral services will be Tuesday, November 23, 2010 at 10:30 a.m. at the Holy Cross Lutheran Church with Pastor Jack Heck and Pastor Duane Duley officiating.Burial will be at the Elm Creek Cemetery at 1:00 p.m.Visitation will be Monday from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl Funeral and Cremation Services in Kearney and one hour prior to the service on Tuesday at the church.The family will greet friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Monday.Memorials are suggested to the Holy Cross Lutheran Church.A condolence, tribute or memory can be left at www.hlmkfuneral.comHorner Lieske McBride & Kuhl Funeral Home in Kearney is in charge of arrangements. Melvin was born March 19, 1926 to Otto T. and Augusta E. (Heineke) Schmidt.He was baptized at St. Paul Lutheran Church north of York, Nebraska and confirmed at St. John?s Lutheran church in Waco, Nebraska on April 2, 1939.During High School, he was a member of several theater plays and shows.Melvin graduated from Waco High School in May of 1943.He reported for military service but the war was over and he was sent home.He continued his education by attending and receiving a diploma from the National Institute of Meat Packing in Mundelein, Illinois in October of 1970.Melvin married Esther Seemann on September 12, 1948 in Potter.They lived on a farm in Waco, Nebraska until moving to Elm Creek in March of 1969 to farm.After retiring from the farm in Elm Creek in November of 1988 they made their home in Kearney.Melvin grew up on a farm and his first job was on a neighbor?s farm at age 13, where he worked as an adult, full time, during the summer.He worked at hay mills in Elm Creek and Odessa; plus he worked in the live stock sale barns in Lexington, Holdrege, Loup City, Ord, and Kearney.He was injured and lost his leg due to that injury in April of 1997.When he retired from farming, he continued other types of work at Wal Mart (for more than 10 years even after losing his leg) as a door greeter and as an assembly handy man.Melvin and Esther had many gatherings at their home in Waco, Elm Creek, and Kearney for birthdays and holidays.He enjoyed being with his grandkids and spending time with family, friends, and neighbors.Melvin and his wife moved into St. John?s Good Samaritan Center in 2007 and enjoyed living there and spending time with the staff and residents.He was a member of the Holy Cross Lutheran Church. Surviving Relatives: Sons: Allan and Linda Schmidt of Elm Creek, NE Elton and Beth Schmidt of Belton, MO Wayne Schmidt of Shelton, NE Daughter Janice and Harold Sawtelle of Omaha, NE Grandchildren?Kathy Swinarski, Tara Beezley, Rebecca Schmidt, Mark Schmidt, Dominic Sawtelle, Christina Peters, Thomas Sawtelle, Luke Sawtelle, Rose Sawtelle, Matt Schmidt, Ben Schmidt, Sarai Schmidt, Amy Johnson, and Quincy Schmidt Great Grandchildren?Samantha Beezley, Tyler Swinarski, Cody Swinarski, Kadyn Schmidt, Keyan Schmidt, Maddilyn Peters, Madison Schmidt, Lillie Crum, Kaylie Johnson, and Dylan Johnson Melvin was preceded in death by his wife Esther in May 2010, parents, and brothers Clarence and Robert. PDF Printable Version

Tributes

Melvin W. Schmidt

March 19, 1926 - November 18, 2010