Verlin Joe Schmidtberger, age 80, former Hays, Kansas, resident, passed away peacefully from Lewy Body Dementia, on Saturday, September 24, 2022, in Joplin, Missouri.
He was born August 23, 1942, in Victoria, Kansas to Acquilinus “Ike” and Albertina (Sander)Schmidtberger. He married JoAnn (Waldschmidt) on May 22, 1965, at St. Joseph Church in Hays, Kansas. They celebrated 51 years of marriage before she preceded him in death on June 2, 2016. The couple lived in Hays, KS before moving to Salina, Kansas in 2000.
Verlin graduated from Victoria High School in 1960. Growing up, he enjoyed spending summers with his Grandpa Sander on the farm. In his younger years, Verlin’s nickname was known as “Hunter”, he enjoyed playing games of snooker, and worked at a local grocery store, Mammals, and also as a meat cutter at P & B Packers both in Hays.
Verlin was an expert mechanic and gifted musician, among many other accomplishments. Throughout his years he was employed by the State of Kansas, I-70 Truck Repair, R.C. Williams, Augie’s Truck Repair & Towing, J Corp, Central Detroit Diesel, and Penske Trucks, before retiring in 2016.
He had a great passion for music. He taught himself how to play the accordion, guitar, saxophone, piano, and many other instruments. Verlin started his first Rock and Roll Band in early 1962. They were called the Marvelletts. They later changed their name to the Sonics and they ended up being called the Vibs. The band played until 1965. After that he played with the Jolly Mixers, Moonlighters, and Younger Brothers. Lastly, he formed his own band, Trust Company, which played for many years.
Survivors include his daughters, Yvonne DeWitt and husband, Will, Joplin, MO; Victoria Griffitt and husband, Scott, Derby, KS; and Jennifer Farrington, Hays, KS; his grandchildren, Kirstin (Jeremy) Hoffman Republic, MO; Kregg (Charlotte) Fathi-Howell, Wamego, KS;Benjamin Griffitt, Derby, KS; and Samuel Griffitt, Derby, KS; his great-grandchildren, Mayven and Theodore Hoffman; his eleven brothers and sisters, Connie England and husband, Bob, Fort Worth, TX; Alice Peterka and husband, Don, Wilson, KS; Clara Walters and husband, Tom,Catherine, KS; Joanne Detwiler, Owasso, OK; Arlene Delka, Guide Rock, NE; Mary Ann Schmidtberger, Derby, KS; Ike Schmidtberger and wife, Betty, Newton, KS; Richard Schmidtberger and wife, Deborah, Newton, KS; Larry Schmidtberger and wife, Rachel, Victoria, KS; Dianne Blumenthal, Lincoln, NE; and Cathy Schmidtberger and Robert Lang, Bedford, TX; his brother-in-law, Don Urban, Loretta, KS; many nieces and nephews; as well as great nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Ike and Albertina; his wife, JoAnn; his sister, Sharon Urban; and brothers-in-laws, Coy Blumenthal; and Bill Delka.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 A.M. Friday, October 28, 2022, at The Basilica of St. Fidelis, Victoria, Kansas with Father James Moster officiating. A private family inurnment will be held Friday afternoon at St. Joseph Cemetery, Hays, Kansas.
The family will receive friends from 9:00 to 11:00 A.M. Friday, and a Rosary at 10:30 A.M. Friday, all at The Basilica of St. Fidelis.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials made payable to: the Lewy Body Dementia Association, the Alzheimer’s Association for Greater Missouri or Masses, in care of the mortuary.
Services are entrusted to Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary of Hays, 1919 East 22nd Street, Hays, Kansas 67601.
Condolences can be sent via e-mail to [email protected] or can be left at guest book at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com