Harold Schmidt

Harold Schmidt was born to Alfred and Amanda Nightengale Schmidt on November 22, 1933, while they lived on the plains near Perico, Texas. The angels came for him in the late evening hours on September 1, 2017. His sudden death was caused by complications following a recent surgery. Funeral service will be held Tuesday, September 5, 2017 at 10:15 a.m. at Southern Star Mennonite Church in Geiger, AL. Interment will follow in Souls Chapel Cemetery. Visitation will be at the church Monday from 6:30 until 8 p.m.


In his early childhood he moved with his parents to Verden, Oklahoma. He received his education at Sandlin school, and grew to manhood on the family farm.

Our father committed his life to the Lord at the age of 11 and was baptized into the Church Of God in Christ, Mennonite by his uncle, Min. Ed Unruh, embracing this faith until the end.

During the Korean conflict he gave 2 years of voluntary service in Santa Monica, California, where he met Yvonne Jantz, the love of his life. They were married on March 13, 1955 at Winton, California. After the completion of his term of service they moved to Verden, Oklahoma for one year before returning to Winton.
A defining time in our parents early married life was when their young daughter, Vicki, was taken suddenly in death. We are comforted with the thought of him being reunited with her on the other side.

While serving in the new mission outreach in El Mirage, Arizona, our father was ordained into the gospel ministry on January 28, 1968 at Winton, California by Min. Abe D. Koehn. This resulted in a move back to Winton.

In 1971 they returned to El Mirage to pastor the growing flock. The members of the early church there held a special place in his heart for the remainder of his life.

October of 1977 found our parents relocating to Geiger, Alabama, when he accepted the call to pastor the newly formed congregation. There he resided until his death.

Our father loved the Faith and diligently served the Church for 45 years. He preached the Word with fervency and simplicity. Often he expressed his unworthiness and thankfulness for the blood of Christ.

Dad provided well for us in whichever occupation he was involved in at the time. He also enjoyed a wide variety of hobbies, including gardening and woodworking. The clocks he made for our homes are a demonstration of his workmanship.
We cherish the unconditional love we felt from our father, grandfather and great grandfather. This love included many others, reaching far beyond family bloodlines.

He will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 62 years, Yvonne; his children; Douglas and Elberta, Geiger, Alabama; Yvette and Ed Warkentin, Geiger, Alabama, presently serving in Rochester, Minnesota; Bryon, El Campo, Texas, and Sherri Schmidt, Siloam Springs, Arkansas, and Christopher and Lisa, Geiger, Alabama; 16 grandchildren; 30 great grandchildren; his sisters: LaVera, Mrs. Don Smith, Geneva, Mrs. Willis Smith; two brothers: Herbert and Dorothy, and Wayne and Winona.

Preceding him in death were his daughter, Vicki, grandson, Randall Warkentin, and great granddaughter, Melody Schmidt, his parents, twin brother Harry, and sister Julieta.