Ray Schmidt

Ray was the first born son to Richard (Rich) and Frances “Ricke” Schmidt in Barber County, Kansas on September 27, 1928 and passed from this life on June 30, 2017 in Harper, Kansas. Ray was the oldest of a family of nine. “The Depression” years helped mold this wonderful person into a hard-working, dependable, honest gentleman. He had to hold down the farm to feed the gang as he attended country school for his 3 R’s and self-taught everything else he learned. Ray served his country in the Korean War, returned to start a new life off the farm. He met his future wife, Eileen in North Dakota, married and started a family. Ray’s career was a lifetime time of welding while raising a family of four: three boys, Doug, Dan and David and one girl, Deanna. Keeping the farmers and oil field happy on 24 hour call was just a part of his busy days. He also served as mayor of Sharon for many years, was an active member of St. Boniface Catholic Church, cemetery committee, Knights of Columbus, American Legion, volunteer fireman and always a neighbor willing to help anyone in need.

A true man of God. Sitting a good example to all!

He is survived by his wife, Eileen; children, Doug and wife, Betty, Dan and wife, Dee, David and wife, Karen and Deanna and husband, Kevin; nine grandchildren, Michael Schmidt, Craig and wife, Shelon Schmidt, Matt and wife, Michelle Schmidt, Christie Knox and husband, Doug, Kyle Doerfler and wife, Sarah, Kaitie Schmidt, Delaney Schmidt, Kendra Mack and husband, Trent and Kyle Karst and wife, Lori; nineteen great grandchildren, Montana and Taylor McCullough, Chase, Hayden and Devin Schmidt, Brayden, Drake, Ashtyn and Dexton Schmidt, Madyson and Maisley Schmidt, Johnnie Doerfler, Symon, Carter, Sam and Lydia Knox and Easton, Cohen and Kinsley Mack; two brothers, Edwin Schmidt Sr. and Richard Schmidt; five sisters, Virginia Martin, Imelda Schmidt, Joyce Rockert, Ruthann Simon and Rosalie Spade.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Rich and Frances Schmidt; sister, Merieda; granddaughter, Hope; sister-in-law, Marilyn Keller, brother-in-laws, Father Hale Stocker and Floyd Spade.

Memorial service for Raymond will be Saturday, July 8, 2017 at 10:30 a.m. at St Boniface Catholic Church in Sharon, Kansas and Rosary will be Friday, July 7, 2017 at the church at 7:00 p.m. Burial will be at St. Boniface Cemetery at 1:30 p.m.

Memorials may be given to Heartland Hospice or St. Boniface Cemetery through the funeral home.