Henry C. Schmidt
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Henry C. Schmidt, 91, of Du Quoin, passed away at 7:55 p.m., Friday, Aug. 7, 2009 at the Des Peres Hospital in St. Louis, Mo.
Henry was a retired farmer and had been road commissioner for 14 years for Road District 6-2. He had been a school bus driver for the Du Quoin School district for 26 years. He was a member of the Bethel Lutheran Church in Du Quoin, member of the National Rifle Association and a member of the Du Quoin Gold Plate and had been a board member for several years.
He was a beneficiary contributor to the Bethesda Childrens Home, St. Judes Childrens Hospital, Feed the Children, Salvation Army and the NRA.
He was born Sept. 3, 1917 at Du Quoin, Ill. the son of Henry and Anna (Roeder) Schmidt.
He married Mary G. Spencer on May 12, 1941 in Missouri and she preceded him in death on April 11, 1975.
He is survived by a son- Ernest H. Schmidt and wife Sherry of Spokane, Wash., a daughter- Anna M. Vancil and friend Greg Ratajczyk of Scheller, special friend- Hilda Higgerson of Du Quoin, friend of the family-Judy Hassard of Vergennes, grandchildren- William Schmidt of Wash., Tom Schmidt and wife Stacy of Wash., James Schmidt and wife Mel of Wash., Toni Schmidt of Wash., Gary Vancil, Jr. and wife Stephanie of Du Quoin, Richard Vancil and wife Jessica of Holden, ME, Keith Vancil of Du Quoin and several great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents and wife.
Funeral services were at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2009 at the Bethel Lutheran Church in Du Quoin with Rev. Mark Buetow officiating.
Friends were able to call from 9 to 11 a.m. Tuesday at the Bethel Lutheran Church in Du Quoin.
Burial was in the Parrish Cemetery at Vergennes.
The Searby Funeral Home of Du Quoin was in charge of arrangements.
Friends may make memorials to the National Rifle Association or the Salvation Army and will be accepted at the funeral home.
For additional information or to sign the memorial guest register, please visit www.searbyfuneralhomes.com.