Milton Albert Schmidt

St. Joseph, MI – Milton A. Schmidt, 85, of St. Joseph, MI, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Tuesday, November 17, 2009, at his home surrounded by his family. A funeral service celebrating his life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, November 20, 2009, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 619 Market St., St. Joseph, MI. Burial will follow at Riverview Cemetery. The visitation will be held on Thursday, November 19, 2009, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Starks & Menchinger Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph, MI. Milton was born on January 14, 1924, to Rev. John T. and Elsie (Herderhorst) Schmidt in Pottsville, Texas. He was baptized as an infant and confirmed in his faith on March 21, 1937. On August 15, 1947, he married Irene Heussman at Trinity Lutheran Church in Ludell, Kansas. He graduated from Concordia Teachers College in Seward, NE in 1945. He received his Bachelor of Science degree from Northwestern State College in Alva, OK in 1955 and his Master of Arts degree from Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, MI in 1966. Milton taught at St. Mark's Lutheran in Chicago, IL; Trinity Lutheran in Ludell, KS; St. Paul's Lutheran in Preston, KS; Zion Lutheran in Alva, OK and Trinity Lutheran in St. Joseph, MI. In 1983, he retired after 38 years in the teaching ministry. Milton is survived by his daughter, Marilyn (Ron) Bork of Seward, Nebraska and his two sons, Steve (Cindy) Schmidt of Benton Harbor and Brian Schmidt of St. Joseph. He is survived by his brother, Rev. John E. Schmidt and sisters, Dorothy Wolters, Joan Engle and Winifred Lewis. Also surviving are his grandchildren, Jayna (Chris) Mullett, Mellany Gardiner, Kristin Bork, Allison (Nate) Domsch, Jessica Schmidt, Rebecca Schmidt and six great grandchildren. Milton will also be missed by a host of relatives and friends, especially John, Joyce and Chris. Milton was preceded in death by his wife, Irene on December 9, 2008. He was also preceded in death by his parents, John and Elsie Schmidt, brother, Luther Schmidt, sisters, Ruth Lovett, Mildred Morris, Elsie Fry, and daughter-in-law, Judy Schmidt . Those wishing to share a memory or sign the guest book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Memorial contributions may be directed to Trinity Lutheran School, Concordia University Nebraska or Hospice at Home.