Velma L. Schmidt

Velma L. Schmidt Battle Creek Velma L. Schmidt, age 82, of Battle Creek, passed away peacefully with her family at her side on February 7, 2009. Velma was born on July 3, 1926 in Sullivan Co., MO the daughter of Clark and Mary "Pearl" (Maxey) Langdon and was raised in Pueblo, CO were she obtained her accounting degree before meeting the love of her life, career Army officer Arthur Victor Schmidt. They were married January 8, 1952. Arthur and Velma enjoyed many happy years together, raising their family, traveling the world, and dancing their way through life. He preceded her in death on October 30, 1977 in Battle Creek. Velma retired from Mueller Color Plate as a purchasing agent in the early 1980s after 10 years of service. She served as secretary for the Teamsters Local 34 for many years and also worked at Kellogg Community College with the Upward Bound program. Velma was a member of the First Baptist Church in Battle Creek. She was also a member and Past Worthy Matron of the OES # 355, Past Royal Matron of the Order of the Amaranth, True Kindred, White Shrine, past president of the Fraternal Order of the Eagles Auxiliary #299, R.E.A.C.T., Gold Star Wives, past president of ABWA, DAV, Purple Heart Society, American Legion Auxiliary, board member of Ft. Custer National Cemetery, and she was also active with the Arthritis Foundation. Velma is survived by her children: Patricia (Philip) Hiatt, Arta (James) Clark, Forrest Schmidt, Cindy (Steve) Wagner, and Curtis (Shelia) Schmidt; 4 granddaughters: Petra McGinnis, Jamiee Clark, Stephanie Wagner, and Christina Schmidt; 4 grandsons: Philip McGinnis, Adam Wagner, Benjamin Schmidt, and Tunney Schmidt, 3 great-grandchildren: Kalissa and Kelsie Stone, and Jason McGinnis; her stepgranddaughter: Samantha; and her cat: Darlene. Besides her husband Arthur, Velma was preceded in death by her brother: Merle Langdon, and her sister: Lois Koncilja. Velma's greatest belief was to do as much as you can with the time you have. She practiced this belief everyday of her life through her travels to any place that caught her interest, collection of many unique and fanciful items, volunteerism of any group that needed help, her ability to find any excuse to eat out, and her hobby of driving with no particular place to go. The devotion and love shared by her and her family is immeasurable and we will greatly miss her laugh, her smile, her touch, her presence. A celebration of Velma's life will be held on Tuesday, February 10, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. at the Royal Funeral Home, Battle Creek. Visitation will be on Monday from 2-8 p.m. An Eagle's Lodge of Sorrow service will be held on Monday at 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be in Battle Creek Memorial Park. Memorials in Velma's name may be directed to the American Heart Association or to the Arthritis Foundation.