Eldred E. Schmidt

FLATVILLE – Eldred E. Schmidt, 92, of Flatville died at 11:52 p.m. Sunday (July 3, 2016) at Heartland Healthcare Center, Paxton.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 9, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Flatville, with the Rev. James T. Lehmann officiating. Burial will follow in Beckman Cemetery, rural Thomasboro.

Visitation will be prior to the service from 9 to 11 a.m. at the church.

Baier Family Funeral Services, Flatville, is assisting the family with arrangements.

Eldred was born on Sept. 21, 1923, in Champaign County, the son of Frank Henry and Meta (Minnie) Osterbur Schmidt. He married Marie Mennenga on Jan. 20, 1945. She preceded him in death on Dec. 23, 2011, after 66 years of marriage.

He is survived by two sons, Leon (Mary Ann) Schmidt of Thomasboro and Larry (Deb) Schmidt of Whitefish Bay, Wis.; six grandchildren, Lisa (Aaron) Jackson, Matthew (Kim) Schmidt, Amy (Nathon) Jones, Adam (Noelle) Schmidt, Emily (Craig) Sikora and David Schmidt; and six great-grandchildren, Garrett Jackson, Benjamin Jackson, Graydon Schmidt, Gianna Schmidt, Natalia Schmidt and Anya Sikora.

Eldred was a lifelong member of Immanuel Lutheran Church, Flatville, where he served as Sunday School superintendent for six years.

He farmed for 70 years starting at the age of 16. Eldred had a passion for the land he farmed and animals he raised, his wife and family and his Lord. His constant companion after his wife passed was his Boston terrier, Smooches.

Memorials may be made to the Immanuel Lutheran Church, Flatville.

Condolences may be offered at www.baierfuneralservices.com.