Harvey N. Schmidt, age 80, of West Bend, passed away on Wednesday, July 20, 2011 at Samaritan Health Center surrounded by his loving family.
He was born on March 26, 1931 at his home in the town of Addison to the late Michael and Anita (nee Emmer) Schmidt. Harvey grew up on the family homestead near Allenton. He attended West Bend High School graduating in the class of 1950. Harvey excelled in high school baseball, winning the Pick Award for single sport. He also tried out for the Brooklyn Dodgers baseball team. He continued playing baseball in the Rock River baseball league.
On February 10, 1962, Harvey was united in marriage to Rhea Rae Mielke in St. Anthony. Harvey pursued a career as a commercial semi truck driver, driving for Libbeys, Jung Transportation, and West Bend Transit Company. He went on to work as a security guard for the West Bend Company for 11 years and was promoted to Chief of Security. Before Harvey retired, he drove bus for Threshold Inc. for 8 years.
God and his family always came first. Harvey was a member of St. Frances Cabrini Parish, West Bend Knights of Columbus Council 1964, and Teamsters Local 200.
He is survived by his wife, Rhea Schmidt of West Bend; daughter, Gail (Wayne) Nickels of LeRoy; two grandchildren, Ashley (John) Nickels Vogelsberg and Travis Nickels; one great-granddaughter, Mackenzie Rae Vogelsberg; one sister, Arlene Deuber of New Albany, IN; two brothers, Clarence Schmidt of West Bend and Herbert (Dorothy) Schmidt of West Bend; two sisters-in-law, Betty Schmidt and Joan (Richard) Schuppel; other relatives and friends.
Harvey is preceded in death by his parents; sister, Dorothy (Pete) Heinecke; three brothers, Alfred (Florence) Schmidt, John Schmidt, and Joe Schmidt; parents-in-law, Roy (Louise) Mielke; sister-in-law, Margie Schmidt; and brother-in-law, George Deuber.
A Mass of Christian burial will be held on Saturday, July 23rd at 1:00 pm at St. Frances Cabrini Church, 1025 S. 7th Ave. West Bend with Rev. Jerry Repenshek presiding. Visitation will be Saturday at the Myrhum ~ Patten Funeral Home, 1315 W. Washington Street, West Bend from 10:00 am until 12:30 pm with a funeral procession to the church. Burial will follow the mass in Washington County Memorial Park.