Merle R. Schmidt

Merle R. Schmidt, 89, of Moundridge, Kansas, passed away Friday, June 6, 2025, at Pine Village in Moundridge. He was born on October 9, 1935, in Texline, Texas to Abraham L. and Esther (Esau) Schmidt.

He attended Halstead schools.

Merle was a member of the Highland Mennonite Church in DeRidder, Louisiana.

He was united in marriage to Vera Ann Koehn on October 10, 1954, in Halstead. She preceded him in death on October 16, 2017.

Merle was a welder and metal craftsman, owning and operating his own shops in KS, AR, and LA.

He is survived by his four sons, Ray (Carol) Schmidt of DeRidder, LA, Kenton (Dena) Schmidt of Transylvania, LA, Marlo (Cindy) Schmidt of DeRidder, LA, and Leon (Sondra) Schmidt of DeRidder, LA; two daughters, Lori (Ronnie) Decker of DeRidder, LA, and Barb Dillon of Clear Lake, IA; 23 grandchildren; 47 great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Marjorie Schmidt of Moundridge, KS, and Mary Ann Buller of Fort Scott, KS.

Merle was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Vera Schmidt; and three sisters, Delores Schmidt, Betty Friesen, and Joyce Toews.

Family will greet friends from 2 to 3 p.m., Monday, June 9, 2025, at Pine Village, Moundridge, and 5 to 7 p.m. at Moundridge Funeral Home. A visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, June 11, at Southern Magnolia Mennonite Church in DeRidder, LA. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, June 12, at Highland Mennonite Church in DeRidder, with burial to follow in the church cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Highland Mennonite Church or Pine Village. Moundridge Funeral Home will be handling Kansas arrangements, and Myers-Colonial Funeral Home will be handling the Louisiana arrangements.