Edward LeRoy Schmidt

July 9, 1931 - June 29, 2021

Edward LeRoy Schmidt was born to Urias T. and Susie (Koehn) Schmidt on July 9, 1931, near Fairview, Oklahoma. He passed away June 29, 2021, just ten days short of his ninetieth birthday, in the home of his son Milton and Lucy Schmidt in Pearce, Arizona. Dad spent his childhood near Fairview, Oklahoma, where he also received his education in a country school. His father passed away when Dad was ten years old. When Dad was thirteen years old, he was baptized into the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite, by Minister Dan Smith at Fairview, Oklahoma. Times were financially challenging for his widowed mother living in the blackjacks of Oklahoma and she and some of her children, including Dad, moved to Winton, California, where they worked in the orchards and vineyards. At Winton, he met Susie Koehn, the love of his life, and they were married on July 13, 1949. Dad’s love for Mom was extraordinary - always willing to lay down his life for her. This union was blessed with seven children: four boys and three girls. Dad was a very kind and patient father. He diligently trained us, children, teaching us true values by word and example. He loved the Bible and taught us that the Bible has the answers to all of life’s questions. Dad was a very hard worker, working at various jobs, including farm work and construction, while pursuing his dream of having a farm of his own. In 1955 they bought a farm in the Livingston area and transferred their church membership to the Livingston Congregation. In 1969, he was ordained into the gospel ministry by Minister Harry Wenger. He diligently filled his place as best he could for many years, taking many revival calls and serving in the mission efforts at El Mirage, Arizona; Mexico; and Guatemala. In 1988 they accepted the call to pastor the Mountain Valley Congregation at Willcox, Arizona. They resided there until 2007, when they moved to Halstead, Kansas. He kept himself busy in his retirement years, by writing, including a couple of inspirational books he had published. In 2015, Mom moved to Moundridge Manor, and Dad was left alone at his little house in Halstead until he moved into the Sunrise Apartments to be close to Mom. They spent many pleasant hours together reading, praying, and listening to the singing until the Covid-19 pandemic restrictions kept them apart, causing both of them to have many lonely days. In July of 2019, we as a family celebrated their seventieth wedding anniversary with most of their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren present. Dad and Mom were married for over seventy-one years when Mom passed away in October of 2020. After Mom’s passing, Dad lived with Milton and Lucy until his passing. We will miss Dad. We always found comfort when we visited him. He was tired and ready to go, and we have complete confidence that he has gone to a better place where he awaits the final judgment and eternal reward. Dad was preceded in death by his wife, six brothers, and two sisters. Those left behind to cherish his memories are; his children Milton and Lucille Schmidt, Pearce, Arizona; Clayton and Marilyn Schmidt, Buhl, Idaho; Frances and Lonnie Medina, Buhl, Idaho; Margaret and Kenneth Conley, Halstead, Kansas; Glenn and Linda Schmidt, Willcox, Arizona; Daniel and Ronda Schmidt, Willcox, Arizona; and Karen and Murray Wiebe, Willcox, Arizona; two sisters: Elsie Alvarado, Spanaway, Washington; and Freda and Lewis Voth, Buhl, Idaho; three sisters-in-law; thirty-two grandchildren and seventy-three great-grandchildren. Funeral Services will be 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, July 7, 2021 at the Mountain Valley Mennonite Church with viewing starting at 9:30 a.m. Burial will follow in the Mountain Valley Church Cemetery.