Junia Paul Schmidt

Junia Paul Schmidt, 96, of Hesston, Kansas passed away Thursday, November 14, 2024, at Newton Medical Center.
He was born on the family farm in rural Marion County on October 20, 1928, to Frank and Rachel (Jantz) Schmidt. Junia was baptized in the Friedenstal Mennonite Church in rural Tampa, which later became the Central Heights Mennonite Church. Upon its closing, they joined Faith Mennonite Church in Newton. Over the years, Junia held many positions in the church and was a Sunday school teacher for many of them.
He graduated from the Bethel Academy in North Newton with the class of 1946. Junia worked with his dad on the family farm until he entered 1-W service at the Connecticut State Hospital. Junia worked as an aide at the hospital where he met Doris Flebeau.
Junia and Doris were united in marriage on February 19, 1955, in Middletown, Connecticut. They shared 67 years of marriage until her passing on August 12, 2022.
In May of 1955 they returned to Kansas and bought a farm near Junia's parents' home where he farmed full time until they moved to Hesston in 1973. Junia worked for Hesston Corporation in quality control until his retirement in 2006.
Junia's love was spending time with Doris and their five girls, sons-in-law, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. He enjoyed music and loved to sing. He was a member of the Kansas Mennonite Men's Chorus and sang in many men's quartets for most of his life. Junia also enjoyed working in his garden and collecting and repairing clocks.
Junia is survived by his five daughters, Laurel (Karl) Louderbaugh of Yates Center, Carol (Monty) John of Winfield, Patricia (Randall) Stauffer of Hesston, Cynthia Payton of Omaha, Nebraska, and Paula Martin of Milford, Nebraska; eleven grandchildren, and nine great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; sister, Elfrieda Rempel; brother, Arelie Schmidt; and sons-in-law David Payton and Troy Martin.
Cremation is planned with memorial services to be held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, November 22, 2024 at the Schowalter Villa Chapel, Hesston. Family will greet friends from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Thursday, November 21, at the Schowalter Villa Chapel. Memorial contributions may be made to Harvey County Habitat for Humanity or Hesston EMS in care of Miller-Ott Funeral Home, PO Box 32, Hesston, KS 67062.