Obituary of Chester Schmidt

Coffeyville - Chester Lee Schmidt, 77, of Coffeyville, passed away Sunday (September 16, 2007) at Coffeyville Regional Medical Center. He was born June 10, 1930 at Corn, Oklahoma to Theodore K. and Minnie Cora (Klassen) Schmidt. He grew up and attended school at Gotebo, Oklahoma graduating from Gotebo High School in 1948. In July 1948 he joined the U.S. Army serving during the Korean War until receiving his honorable discharge in November 1951. On June 2, 1962 he married Mary Beatrice Lassiter at Lamesa, Texas. Following their marriage they made their home in Fort Worth, Texas while Mr. Schmidt attended Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. After graduating from Seminary he served as Pastor at several churches before moving to Mound Valley where he served as Pastor at the Mound Valley Baptist Church for seven years, he then served at Central Baptist Church north of Coffeyville for eight years and Neodesha Baptist Church for eight years. He retired in 2002 after 45 years of service to his church. While living in Mound Valley, Coffeyville, and Neodesha he also drove a school bus for the school districts. He was a member of the First Southern Baptist Church in Coffeyville, the American Legion, and AARP. He enjoyed woodworking. Survivors include his wife, Mary Schmidt of the home; two daughters, Deborah Ann (Scott) Maples of Coffeyville, and Donna Kay (Mark) Blumer of Parsons; two sisters, Melba (Clarence) Mercer of Lawton, OK, and Tonia Gal (Robert) Overstreet of Hobart, OK; four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, one sister, and one brother-in-law. Services will be at 2:00 p.m. Friday (September 21, 2007) in the First Southern Baptist Church in Coffeyville with his nephew Pastor Ted Mercer of Grace Fellowship in Anadarko, OK, and Pastor Rich Jenkins of First Southern Baptist Church officiating. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery in Coffeyville with military honors conducted by Elliott-Funston-White V.F.W. Post #1022. Friends may call on Wednesday from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. The family will receive friends on Thursday from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the David W. Barnes Funeral Home in Coffeyville. The family suggests memorials to the First Southern Baptist Church; contributions may be left with the funeral home or mailed c/o David W. Barnes Funeral Home, 306 N. Cline Rd., Coffeyville, KS 67337. David W. Barnes Funeral Home in Coffeyville is in charge of arrangements.