SCHMIDT, Richard 1947-2007

SCHMIDT

Posted By: Gordon Felland (email)
Date: 7/10/2010 at 14:29:20

Joice - Richard “Rick” Schmidt, Jr., age 60, formerly of Girard, Ill., and Springfield, Ill., died Thursday (Oct. 11, 2007) in rural Joice, as a result of a boating accident at Rice Lake.

Funeral services were held at 4 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 15, at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Ventura, with the Rev. Daird Korth officiating. Burial was in St. John’s Cemetery, rural Ventura, with military honors conducted by the VVA Chapter 534 from Springfield, Ill.

Richard Berthold Schmidt, Jr. was born on Sept. 11, 1947, in Forest City, to parents Richard and Ruby (Mikesh) Schmidt. He attended and graduated from Lake Mills High School in 1965. Rick served with the Illinois Army National Guard for 28 years and was enlisted with the United States Army from 1965 through 1968, during which time he served in Germany.

Rick was enjoying his retirement back on the farm in Joice where he spent time with his family. He loved drag racing, riding his Harley-Davidson motorcycle, and fishing and boating on Rice Lake. He was a proud member of the VVA Chapter 534 in Springfield, Ill.

Survivors include his wife, Diana; two daughters, Emily (Matt) Montgomery of St. Louis, Mo., and Cynthia Lavin of Beatrice, Neb.; granddaughter, Lucy Montgomery; step-children, Troy (Crystal) Creasy of Girard, Ill., and Amy (Justin) Clark; step-grandchildren, Gavin, Marshal and Maliyah Creasy; his mother, Ruby Dwyer of Harpers Ferry; parents Richard (Deloris) Schmidt Sr. of Joice; two sisters, Mavis Schmidt of Northwood and Janelle (Marvin) Dryden of Honolulu, Hawaii; brother, Joe (Joanna) Schmidt of Kensett; step-sister, Kathy (Tony) Miller of Mason City; step-brother, Larry (Janie) Dietrich of Ava, Mo.; half-sister, Janie (Doug) Hamilton of Marion; and half-brother, Marshall (Kyra) Hanson of Punta Gorda, Fla. Rick is also survived by many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his daughter, Julie Schmidt in 1989; a brother, Lynn in 1963; and two brothers in infancy.

Source of information: Mason City Globe Gazette, Oct 14, 2007