Merlin R. Schmidt, 18 Feb 1921 - 04 Mar 2016

SCHMIDT, MERCK, ROEMIG, HUEDEPOHL, HAGEN, VOLKMANN, DEGEN, PIRKL, FARNSWORTH, SANDELIN, FRESCOLN

Posted By: Sandy Ficken (email)
Date: 3/18/2016 at 11:28:09

Merlin R. Schmidt
BORN: February 18, 1921
DIED: March 4, 2016
LOCATION: Victor, Iowa

Merlin R. Schmidt, 95, of Victor, passed away on Friday, March 4, 2016, at the Rose Haven Care Center in Marengo.

A visitation will be held from 2:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., on Monday, March 7, 2016, with the family present beginning at 4:00 p.m., at the Smith Funeral Home in Victor.

A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, March 8, 2016, at St. James Lutheran Church in Victor with Pastor Michael Kolesar officiating. Casket Bearers will be Dale Pirkl, Dennis Pirkl, Kevin Schmidt, Glenn Volkman, Jon Degen and Aaron Farnsworth. Honorary Bearers will be Diane Volkman, Sarah Degen, Emily Pirkl, Megan Farnsworth, Staci Schmidt, Courtney Schmidt and Jonas Sandelin.

Interment will be at the St. Johns Cemetery south of Victor.

Memorials may be directed to St. John's or St. James's Lutheran Church and sent in care to the Smith Funeral Home, P.O. Box 485, Victor, Iowa 52347.

Merlin was born on February 18, 1921, to Herman and Alma Merck Schmidt in Lincoln Township, Iowa County, Iowa. He was raised south of Victor baptized and confirmed at St. John's Lutheran Church. He graduated from Victor public school with the class of 1938.

On March 7, 1945, he entered into the United States Army and serving in the Philippines until his honorable discharge in December 1946. On October 12, 1947, he married Viola Roemig at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Cedar Rapids. The couple was blessed with four children.

Merlin was employed at Koehn Motor Company for several years as a mechanic. He was also a member of the Victor Volunteered Fire Department. Following his retirement, he volunteered at the Veterans Hospital in Iowa City, where he accumulating over 8000 hours of service. He was also a member of the American Legion in Victor for 67 years and a faithful member of St. James Lutheran Church.

Merlin enjoyed his fishing trips to Minnesota and Canada, vacationing to the eastern United States with his wife and restoring antique machinery and equipment. He held a passion for Ford tractors.

Merlin's memory will be cherished by his daughter, Sharon Huedepohl of Victor; his sons, Allen (Pam) Schmidt of North Liberty, Doug Schmidt of Victor and Dan Schmidt of Marengo; his brother, Harold Schmidt of Victor; one sister-in-law, Lillian (Richard) Hagen of Williamsburg; one brother-in-law, Bob (Betty) Roemig of Amana; and his seven grandchildren, Diane (Glenn) Volkman of Kellog Sarah (Jon) Degen of Williamsburg, Dale (DJ) Pirkl of Victor, Dennis (Emily) Pirkl of Victor, Megan (Aaron) Farnsworth of North Liberty, Staci Schmidt and her fiancé Jonas Sandelin of Colorado and Kevin (Courtney) Schmidt of Colorado.

He is preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Viola in 1999; and one sister Lois Frescoln.

Smith Funeral Home
Journal Tribune, 16 Mar 2016, pg 5
Warrior Tribune, 09 Mar 2016, pg
The Gazette, 06 Mar 2016, 13a [abbreviated]