Willard Schmidt

Willard Schmidt, 96, died Monday (December 17, 2018) at the Newton Medical Center.

He was born on July 27, 1922 in Peabody, Kansas, the son of David and Mary Goertz Schmidt.

Willard was raised on a farm in the Lehigh area. He married Velma Friesen on June 6, 1942 in Lehigh.

During World War II, he served in the U.S. Army. After being discharged from the military Willard returned to Kansas. He and Velma settled in Newton where he worked for Betty Hatchery, Hurst Egg Plant and later for Future Foam from which he retired.

Survivors include his daughter Janice Kessler of Newton; four grandchildren; 11 great grandchildren; and two great-great grandchildren.

Willard is preceded in death by his parents; wife Velma on January 3, 2010; sons Larry and Eugene Schmidt; daughters Donna Sue Schmidt and Darlene Griffin; brothers Clarence and Waldo; sisters Malinda Janzen, Rosella Friesen, Viola Tilson, Elsie Foth, and Ann Reimer; and grandchildren April Smith, Elisa Sue Schmidt, Michael Schmidt, and Jeannie Schmidt.

Funeral services will be held at 3:00 P.M., Friday (December 21, 2018) at the Broadway Colonial Funeral Home. Interment will be in the Greenwood Cemetery in Newton.

Friends may call at the funeral home Thursday 1:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M., where the family will receive friends between 6 and 8.

A memorial has been established with the Good Samaritan Fund of Newton Presbyterian Manor and the Alzheimer’s Foundation. Contributions may be sent to Broadway Colonial Funeral Home, 120 E. Broadway, Newton, Ks. 67114.

Arrangements are by Broadway Colonial Funeral Home, Newton.