Copeland - My loving husband and our dear father, Merle Dean Schmidt, was born on December 3, 1937 to Wallace and Bertha Yost Schmidt in rural Haskell County at the family home. He peacefully fell asleep on December 6, 2021 at St. Catherine Hospital, Garden City, Kansas, reaching the age of 84 years.

Dad spent his childhood years in Haskell County, receiving his education at Colusa School, which was only 3\4 mile from the home place. After coming under conviction for his sins, and surrendering his heart to God, he was baptized into the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite on February 8, 1951 by Min. Orlan Wedel. He spent two years in 1W service in LA, California. Here he met his life's companion, Betty Jean Smith of Winton, California and they were married on January 25, 1959, also at Winton, spending nearly 63 happy years together. Their home was blessed with two sons, Steve and Everett.

Dad loved the Lord and his commitment was very solid in his heart. He was a supporter of the church and an encouragement to the ministry.

Our father and mother made their home on the family farm where he grew up. It is remarkable to note that Dad was born and spent his entire life here. Dad enjoyed farming, providing well for his family. He also loved designing and manufacturing innovative products for his farm. Being a perfectionist, these products looked as tho they had come from a factory. Dad was also a lover of song all his life. He and mother enjoyed being part of a singing group of six and many songs were committed to memory during this time. He also sang in a quartet and was a song leader for years in the Salem congregation. Many will remember him leading "How Great Thou Art", which was one of his favorite songs.

Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Betty; two sons, Steve and wife, Donna of Hiawatha, Kansas; Everett and wife, Ann of Los Lunas, New Mexico; eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren; siblings, Vera, and husband, Raymond Withers, Detroit, Texas; Clinton of Grant, Nebraska; JoAnn Schmidt of Montezuma, Kansas; and Phyllis and husband Irv Bissell of Woodburn, Oregon. He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother-in-law and two sisters-in-law.

Funeral service will be held at Salem Mennonite Church, Copeland on Friday, December 10, 2021 at 10:30 AM.  Burial will follow at Salem Mennonite Cemetery in Copeland.  Visitation will be at Swaim Funeral Chapel, Montezuma on Thursday, December 9, 2021 from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM.  Memorials are suggested to Bethel Home in care of the funeral home.  Thoughts and memories may be shared in the online guest book at www.swaimfuneralhome.com.