Howard Schmitt
October 19, 1933 — September 15, 2011
Howard Schmitt
On Thursday, September 15, 2011, beloved pastor, husband, father, brother, uncle and friend, Howard S. Schmitt, was called home to heaven. He was born in Waterloo County, Ontario October 19, 1933 to the late Delton and Beulah (Weber) Schmitt. He was also preceded in death by brothers-in-law Bill Martin and Jim West.
He married D. Jean (West) Schmitt in Brantford, Ontario May 20, 1960, and together, they were proud parents of Valerie and her husband Gary Jones of Plain City, Ohio and Jeffrey Schmitt and his partner Michael Petrilli of Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Howard is survived by two sisters, Dorothy (Ralph) Shantz of Baden, Ontario and Betty Martin of Bayfield, Ontario, and a sister-in-law, Florence West. He was a beloved uncle to Kerry, Lori, Jason, David, Murray, Dayle, their spouses and children.
A graduate of Toronto Bible College in 1963, Howard pastored numerous congregations throughout his over fifty-year pastoral ministry. The congregations included: Wanner Mennonite Church in Cambridge, Ontario, Calvary Church in Ayr, Ontario, South Union Mennonite Church in West Liberty, Ohio, Bayshore Mennonite Church in Sarasota Florida, and the Sharon Mennonite Church in Plain City Ohio. Following his retirement in 2004, Howard continued to do what he did best by serving the Oak Grove Mennonite Church in West Liberty as transitional pastor. Most recently, Howard was the part-time pastor at the South Union Mennonite Church in West Liberty.
Pastor Howard was known for his gift of administration and teaching. Howard’s most endearing qualities included his ability to preach and to support others in their time of need with pastoral care. Howard was a founding member of the Chaplaincy Program at Mary Rutan Hospital in Bellefontaine, becoming its first staff chaplain. Howard was also a contributing member of the Greater Columbus Emmaus Community where he served as a spiritual director on many weekend Walks to Emmaus.
Howard took his faith seriously and throughout his life he touched the hearts of many by being a loving spiritual advisor and guide. Many people today know the Lord because of Howard’s gentle, loving approach to evangelism. Howard was married for fifty one years to his beloved Jean. They served in ministry together. It was a rare occasion to see one without the other. They witnessed through their love for one another.
Calling hours will be held Friday, September 23, 2011 from 1 to 4 P.M. and 6 to 8 P.M. and also from 9 to 10 A.M. Saturday September 24, 2011 at the South Union Mennonite Church 56 SR 508 West Liberty, Ohio, 43357 where a service of celebration will occur Saturday , September 24, 2011 at 10:00 A.M. Interment will be at the South Union Cemetery. Pastors Andy Stoner and Matt Hamsher will officiate.
The staff of the Kauffman-Eichholtz Funeral Home in West Liberty handled the arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Creating Pastors Fund at Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary in Elkhart, IN or Mennonite Church USA, in honor of Pastor Howard.
He married D. Jean (West) Schmitt in Brantford, Ontario May 20, 1960, and together, they were proud parents of Valerie and her husband Gary Jones of Plain City, Ohio and Jeffrey Schmitt and his partner Michael Petrilli of Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Howard is survived by two sisters, Dorothy (Ralph) Shantz of Baden, Ontario and Betty Martin of Bayfield, Ontario, and a sister-in-law, Florence West. He was a beloved uncle to Kerry, Lori, Jason, David, Murray, Dayle, their spouses and children.
A graduate of Toronto Bible College in 1963, Howard pastored numerous congregations throughout his over fifty-year pastoral ministry. The congregations included: Wanner Mennonite Church in Cambridge, Ontario, Calvary Church in Ayr, Ontario, South Union Mennonite Church in West Liberty, Ohio, Bayshore Mennonite Church in Sarasota Florida, and the Sharon Mennonite Church in Plain City Ohio. Following his retirement in 2004, Howard continued to do what he did best by serving the Oak Grove Mennonite Church in West Liberty as transitional pastor. Most recently, Howard was the part-time pastor at the South Union Mennonite Church in West Liberty.
Pastor Howard was known for his gift of administration and teaching. Howard’s most endearing qualities included his ability to preach and to support others in their time of need with pastoral care. Howard was a founding member of the Chaplaincy Program at Mary Rutan Hospital in Bellefontaine, becoming its first staff chaplain. Howard was also a contributing member of the Greater Columbus Emmaus Community where he served as a spiritual director on many weekend Walks to Emmaus.
Howard took his faith seriously and throughout his life he touched the hearts of many by being a loving spiritual advisor and guide. Many people today know the Lord because of Howard’s gentle, loving approach to evangelism. Howard was married for fifty one years to his beloved Jean. They served in ministry together. It was a rare occasion to see one without the other. They witnessed through their love for one another.
Calling hours will be held Friday, September 23, 2011 from 1 to 4 P.M. and 6 to 8 P.M. and also from 9 to 10 A.M. Saturday September 24, 2011 at the South Union Mennonite Church 56 SR 508 West Liberty, Ohio, 43357 where a service of celebration will occur Saturday , September 24, 2011 at 10:00 A.M. Interment will be at the South Union Cemetery. Pastors Andy Stoner and Matt Hamsher will officiate.
The staff of the Kauffman-Eichholtz Funeral Home in West Liberty handled the arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Creating Pastors Fund at Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary in Elkhart, IN or Mennonite Church USA, in honor of Pastor Howard.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Howard Schmitt, please visit our flower store.
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