Harry M. Schmitt

Harry Matheis Schmitt was born March 5, 1937 to Nicholas A. and Madeline Mary Matheis on a farm north of Tipton, Kansas. His untimely death came Sunday, August 25, 2013 in one of his fields in Hanover Township, Lincoln County, Kansas at the age of 76 years.

A farmer from day one, Harry grew up and lived his entire life in the Tipton community and graduated from Tipton High School.

It was on August 10, 1966 that he was united in marriage to Phyllis Jean Pfeiffer at St. Boniface Catholic Church. Six children Doug, Mary, Sandy, Kathy, Lisa, and Becky were born to this happy union.

Harry centered his life around his Faith, Family, Friends, and Farming. A devout member of St. Boniface Catholic Church, Harry faithfully attended Mass and was a pillar of the parish. His family, and their well being was paramount to him and enjoyed being with them whenever possible. Harry loved people and delighted in story telling with all of his friends. He did not know a stranger and made lifelong friends easily. Harry's greatest joy was his farm. He cherished the value of hard work and the fruits it produced. He enjoyed being a mentor to many who had worked for him over the years. Watching his cattle and crops grow brought him immense pleasure. Idle moments, though far and few between were happily spent working in his workshop.

Harry loved being a part of the Tipton community. He was involved in numerous community and farm related organizations. He was a proud member of the Robert F. Kennedy Council No. 1645 4th degree Knights of Columbus. Other memberships included the local and state rural water district and soil conservation boards, the NFO and the Kansas Livestock Association, and the USD 272, Tipton Christian School, and the NCK Tech College Boards.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one sister Marylene Cordel, one brother Ralph Schmitt, two grandchildren Katelyn Shivers and Stefan Read.

Left to mourn his untimely death and celebrate his vibrant life are his wife Phyllis of the home; one son Doug Schmitt and wife Lori of Tipton; five daughters Mary Read (Don) of Winfield, KS, Sandy Law (Col. Bob) of Fort Riley, KS, Kathy Schwerdtfager (Travis), of Lincoln, Lisa Shivers (Jarrod) of Tipton, Becky Schmitt (fiancé Jared Gray) of Beloit; three sisters Claire Jean Kohn of Wayne, NE, Lois Gengler of Beloit, Maxine Bannister (Ray) of San Lorenzo, CA; one brother Richard Schmitt (Carolyn), Cawker City, one sister-in-law Laurine Schmitt of Tipton; ten grandchildren Clinton, Michael, & Dalton Schmitt, McKenna Read, Robert, Nicholas & Matthew Law, Zach Streit, Madelyn Shivers, Mailey Gray. Harry will be missed by countless friends and other relatives.

Father Damian Richards along with Fathers Donald McCarthy and Norbert Dlabal will celebrate the Funeral Mass at 10:00 A.M. Friday, August 30, 2013 at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Tipton, Kansas. Burial will follow in St. Boniface Cemetery. Memorials may be given to the Tipton Schools Operating Fund or the All American Beef Battalion. Harry will lie in state at the McDonald Funeral Home in Beloit on Thursday, August 29, 2013 from 9:00 A.M. until 3:00 P.M., at which time he will be taken to St. Boniface Catholic Church where visitation will be from 5:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. with the Parish Vigil and Rosary Service at 7:30 P.M.