Paul Schmidtberger age 73, of Russell, Kansas, passed away on Monday, March 23, 2026, at Hays Medical Center. He was born July 17, 1952, in Hays, Kansas to Michael and Anna M. (Burgardt) Schmidtberger. He married Judy (Steinert) on December 1, 1979, at Victoria, Kansas.
Paul was a ready-mix driver for APAC for 15 years and retired in 2016. In his earlier years he worked in construction, was an oil field pumper, worked at Bella Vista Homes, and King of the Road.
Paul grew up in Victoria, was a 1970 graduate of Victoria High School, and has lived in the Russell area for over 45 years. He was a Veteran of the US Navy, a member of the Russell V.F.W. Post # 6240, a Past Post Commander, the Victoria Knights of Columbus, and the Basilica of Saint Fidelis.
He enjoyed reading, watching game shows, working on jigsaws puzzles, his family and grandkids, and always the family gatherings.
Paul is survived by his wife, Judy Schmidtberger, of the home; his children, Sara Vopat and husband, Ray, Abilene, KS; Kelly Myers and husband, Darin, Hays, KS; his grandchildren, Jade and R J Vopat; Jordin, Jace and Jentry Myers; his sisters, Dianne Carter and husband, Chuck, The Villages, FL; Janice Tholen and husband, Tom, Victoria, KS; Carol Dreiling and husband, John, Hays, KS; his sister-in-law, Tess Schmidtberger, Philippines; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Michael and Anna Schmidtberger; his brothers, Kenny, Ronnie, Karl and (Debbie); and his nephew, Blake Schmidtberger.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 A.M. Thursday, March 26, 2026, at The Basilica of Saint Fidelis, 900 Cathedral Ave., Victoria, Kansas 67671 with Celebrant, Father Fred Gatschent. Burial will be in the Saint Fidelis Cemetery, Victoria, Kansas with Military Rites by the Russell V.F.W. Post # 6240.
A Victoria Knights of Columbus Rosary, and Vigil Service will be at 6:30 P.M. Wednesday, at Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary Victoria, Kansas.
Visitation will be from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. Wednesday, at Cline’s Keithley Mortuary Victoria, Kansas and from 9:00 to 10:00 A.M. Thursday, at The Basilica of Saint Fidelis, Victoria, Kanas.
The family suggests memorials made payable to: the Wounded Warrior Project, in care of Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary, 412 Main, Victoria, Kansas 67671. Condolences can be emailed to clineschapels@gmail.com or left at the guest book at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com