Orville Schmidt
March 10, 1933 ~ April 4, 2009
ORVILLE 'S TRIBUTE VIDEO
Orville Schmidt, 76, of Gettysburg, passed away, Saturday, April 4, 2009 at his home.
Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, April 11, 2009 at the United Methodist Church in Gettysburg with Pastor Suzie O’Connell officiating. Burial followed at the Gettysburg Cemetery with military honors. Visitation was held from 1:00 to 5:30 p.m., Friday, April 10, 2009 with a 5:30 p.m. prayer service at the Luce Funeral Home in Gettysburg.
Orville Gene Schmidt was born March 10, 1933 at Ideal, SD to Cornelius and Pauline (Woehl) Schmidt. He graduated from Winner High School in 1951. He served in the army from 1953-1955 during the Korean War. On June 4, 1955 he married Marcine Smith.
Orville grew up in the Winner area. When he was younger he worked for local farmers and ranchers to help his parents support the family of 9 children. He was a left-handed pitcher for the Kennebec City team for several years in the days when being a lefty was rare. He also was a boxer while he was in high school. When he returned from the war, he went to work for H.V. (Buck) Smith, Marcine’s father, in the gas business and in 1962 moved his family to Gettysburg to run the Standard Oil bulk dealership which he did until his retirement in 1990. He also ran the Standard station on Hwy 212 for a number of years. He was a member of the Legion and VFW.
Orville loved to fish and tell stories. He was a member of the Gettysburg Wrestling Development Club and served as bus driver for the fan bus the club drove to away matches in the late 70’s and early 80’s. He loved all sports and seldom missed a home event. He spoke fluent German and loved to help his grand kids with their German. Most of the times they had to tell him to slow down so they could keep up!
He is survived by four children: Vickie (Vern) DeKnikker of Zillah WA, Tamela (Jim) Towne of Langdon ND, Larry (Kay) Schmidt of Gettysburg and Gene Schmidt of Sandstone, MN; three brothers: Lyle (Donna) of Cody, WY, Merle (Betty) of Sioux Falls, and Dale of Sioux Falls; four sisters: Shirley Van Matre of Pierre, Darlene (Darrell) Foss of Winner, Doreen Bolander of Winner and Carol (Gary) Hedlund of Huron; six grandchildren: Sharon DeKnikker, Kim (Dave) Cutler, Laura and Lea Towne and Kaycee and Blaine Schmidt and 3 great grandchildren Lars and Ian Pederson and Miah Towne.
He was preceded in death by his wife Marcine; an infant daughter; his parents; one sister, five brothers-in-law and two sisters-in-law.
Luce Funeral Home of Gettysburg has been entrusted with Orville's arrangements.
MINISTER
Reverend Susan O'Connell
CASKETBEARERS
Jody Bieber
Greg Gerber
Cody Nauman
Danny Bolander
Tom Nagel
Kelly Foss
HONORARY CASKETBEARERS
Bill Coppersmith
Jerry Frost
Stan Vogler
Glenn Emmert
Jerry Bieber
USHER
Norma Smith
PIANIST
Donna Hanson
VOCALIST
Darlene Hofer
CONGREGATIONAL SONGS
"Old Rugged Cross"
"Amazing Grace"
"How Great Thou Art"
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I am very sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Orville was very loved and respected. He will be missed.
Dear Tamela and family:
I was so sad to hear about the death of your father, brother, grandfather and friend. As I read his obituary, my thoughts are that he lead a full life with a wonderful family, loved sports, worked very hard, service to our country, and loved of his language and the community. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this very difficult time.
Respectfully,
Joan Altenbernd
Sincerest sympathy to cousins Vickie, Tammy, Larry and Gene. I will always remember your dad with a smile. He was a kind and loving father to you all.
May fond memories of times spent together help you through this difficult time. Marcine is welcoming him home.
Sorry to hear about your loss, I have very good memories of your dad, he always had a story to tell and he was very proud of his kids. Our prayers are with you. Pat Thompson and family
Been thinking of you all ever since I heard about Orville. I can still picture the guys – Buck, Orville, Jerry G., Jerry B, Dale, and my Dad having great conversations and laughs whenever there was a family get-together.
What a handsome and fun man!
Love and Prayers.
Larry, Kay and Family,
So sorry to hear about your dad. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
My dear brother I shall really- really- miss you. You were such a good brother and would do anything for anyone.
I’ll always remember the summers that I stayed with you guys.When I see a bright star, I’ll alway think that your are watching over all of us.Carol & Gary
Hey big Brother , I will miss you so very much , God Bless Love Shirley.
THANK YOU FOR ALL THE MEMORIES.
Larry, so sorry about your loss. Our classmates seem to be losing our parents too quickly. I will always remember your dad zipping down Highway 212 in his Standard Truck and, I think, he wore a blue uniform with his “Orville” name patch on it. May you find comfort in Christ.
sorry to hear about your dad, we have very good memories about him he will be missed. rod and shirly
I love you Dad!