Calvin Schmidt

Calvin Ray Schmidt was born to Otis & Elizabeth Toews Schmidt on December 7, 1967 in Moundridge, KS. He passed peacefully to his eternal reward in the early morning hours of October 16, 2020 with his family around him.

He grew to manhood in the Moundridge community. He began working for Clyde Schmidt in the carwash business. At age 15 he spent 5 years working for his uncle Herbert Schmidt in Fairview, OK. Working on the Schmidt farm were some of his best years. Later he worked for Russel Unruh on his building crew, and at the Bradbury Company in Moundridge for 3 years.

Calvin enjoyed traveling with his family to Fairview to spend time with his cousins and go fishing and taking a road trip to California to visit his sister.

During his early years of manhood, Calvin was converted. He was baptized on December 6, 1981. Living a Christian life was dear to him, though he encountered many struggles and trials.
He attended a Young Men’s Preparatory Class in Copeland, KS in the year of 1990, and spent 6 months in the Voluntary Service unit in Elwood, KS in 1994. These times were a real, growing experience for him, and he made some good lifetime friendships.

On June 14, 1998 he was united in marriage to Rachel Oberholtzer in Belleville, PA. We shared the joys and sorrows of life for 22 years. To this union were born 2 sons and 2 daughters.
Calvin and Rachel moved to Arthur, IL in 1999. He did various jobs for several years, then took employment with Kuhn’s Construction in 2006, working for the next 14 years. His co-workers were like family to him. He joined the Atwood Volunteer Fire Department in 2000, and thoroughly enjoyed his 20 years of service there.

After Calvin’s re-consecration to the Lord in 2006, he found Christian life more meaningful, and cherished his family with more zeal.

In 2011, our oldest son, Carl was diagnosed with cancer, beginning a difficult journey for the next 7 years for us as a family. We thank God for granting healing and restored health to Carl.
Calvin endured much discomfort with various health issues most of his life. He was devastated when he was diagnosed with cancer in 2016 and fought valiantly for 4 years.

We enjoyed many good times camping, taking road trips, and visiting various places. He enjoyed having his sons join the Fire Department with him, playing ball, stacking wood, and siding the house with them. In his low times he spent a lot of time in his shop, working on wood products and building things for each of his children and the family.

Surviving are his sorrowing wife, Rachel, two sons Carl and Jason, two daughters Shawna and Janae all of the home, brothers Robert, Eldorado, MO, and Marlin, Arthur, IL, sisters Carol and Tim Holdeman, Glenn, CA, Ruth, Arthur, IL, and Sara and Dale Wiens, Atwood, IL.

Visitation will be held from 2:00 P.M. to 4:00 P.M. on Sunday, October 18, 2020 at the Prairie Mennonite Church, 164 East County Road 700 North, Arthur, IL.  Funeral service will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Monday, October 19, 2020 at the church.  Pastor Greg Wenger and Pastor Charles Yost will officiate.  Burial will be in the Prairie Mennonite Church Cemetery.  The Edwards Funeral home is assisting with arrangements.