Melvin J. “Joe” Schmidt, 89, Hays, died Thursday, September 16, 2021' at Via Christi Village.
He was born April 13, 1932' in Catharine, the son of Albert A. and Wilhelmina (Kinderknecht) Schmidt. He graduated from Hays High School in 1950 and was a veteran, serving in the U.S. Army from 1952-1956. On November 16, 1957' he was united in marriage to JoAnn M. Berens and they celebrated over 63 years of marriage before she preceded him in death on July 19, 2021. Joe was a truck driver, hauling crude oil for H.M. Pope, Permian, and Ashland, and he was also a farmer and cattleman. He was a member of St. Catherine Catholic Church, the Hays American Legion, and he loved working, family get-togethers, Labor Day parties, watching softball and volleyball, and spending time with his grandchildren.
Survivors include four sons: Steve Schmidt and wife Jean of Hays, Stan Schmidt and wife Teri of Overland Park, Scott Schmidt and wife Lori of Hays, and Stuart Schmidt and wife Barbara of Olathe, three daughters: Stephanie Staab and husband Dale and Sonya Haselhorst and husband Glenn, all of Hays, and Sandi Schmidt of Olathe, a brother: Bill Schmidt and wife Delores of Westminster, CO, a sister: Gladys Jacobs of Kansas City, sixteen grandchildren: Leighton Schmidt and wife Jordan of Olathe, Devin Schmidt and fiancé Mia Jacobs of Dayton, OH, Craig Schmidt and wife Kelly of Shawnee, Casey Schmidt of Overland Park, Collin Schmidt and fiancé Kirsten Zerr of Overland Park, Tanner Staab of El Dorado, Conner Staab of Hays, Troy Haselhorst of Hays, Kyle Haselhorst of Hays, Keisha Schmidt of Hays, Chandler Schmidt and wife Katelyn of Hays, Braden Schmidt of Hays, Lanie Pfeifer and husband Cole of Hays, Hannah Schmidt of Olathe, Taylor Allen of Olathe, and Raegan Guinn of Olathe, three step-grandchildren: Joey Staab and wife Casey of Hays, Darin Staab and wife Diana of Hays, and Jayme Staab and wife Amadee of Gorham, fourteen great grandchildren: Carson, Bennett, Ella, Mason, Barrett, Greyson, Evelyn, Jacob, Brantlee, Kaymbree, Bexlee, Tathan, Eden, and Caleb.
He was preceded in death by his wife JoAnn, by three brothers: Rich, Ralph, and Howard Schmidt, and seven sisters: Mary Ann Stecklein, Alice Freitag, Zita Dreiling, Carol Canfield, Jeanette Gottschalk, Joyce Gonzales, and Pauline Schmidt.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 am on Monday, September 20, 2021, at St. Catherine Catholic Church with Fr. Earl Befort officiating. Burial with military honors by the Hays VFW Honor Guard will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be from 5:00 pm until 8:00 on Sunday at Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home and from 9:00 am until service time on Monday at the church. A parish vigil service will be at 6:30 pm on Sunday at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Community Assistance Center or to St. Catherine Catholic Church. Condolences and memories of Joe may be shared with the family at www.haysmemorial.com