Vernon H. Schmidt, 96

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Vernon Henry "Butter" Schmidt, 96, of Litchfield, died Friday, May 3, 2019, at 2:45 a.m. at his home, surrounded by his family.

Visitation will be held Tuesday, May 7, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Plummer Funeral Home in Litchfield.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, May 8, at 11 a.m. at Zion Lutheran Church in Litchfield with the Rev. Fred Kraemer officiating. Burial will be held in Elm Lawn Cemetery in Litchfield.

Mr. Schmidt was born March 4, 1923, on the family farm in Litchfield, a son of Henry and Lydia (Grosenheider) Schmidt. He married Shirley Mae McBroom on Jan. 16, 1949, in Hernando, MS, and she preceded him in death on Jan. 28, 1994.

He was a graduate of Litchfield High School with the class of 1941. A lifelong farmer for more than 60 years, he retired in 1988.  He was a member of Zion Lutheran Church and Moose Lodge #1634, both in Litchfield

 A member of the Montgomery County Farm Bureau, he served on the Montgomery County Board from 1977 to 1996. He formerly served as vice president of Harvel Mutual Insurance Company.

In 2013, he was recognized as the oldest living active farmer in Montgomery County. He was an avid Baltimore Orioles and Illini basketball fan. He especially enjoyed spending time with his family and friends.

He is survived by his two sons, Steven J. (Jeanie) Schmidt of Butler and Scott (Shelley) Schmidt of Litchfield; one brother, Robert (Naomi) Schmidt of Litchfield; one sister, Betty (Kenneth) Wilhelms of St. Louis, MO; four grandchildren, Brandon and Israel "Izzy" Schmidt, and Kelly and Sarah Schmidt; and three great-grandchildren, Fletcher, Henry and Silas Schmidt.

In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by one brother, Harold Schmidt.

Memorials may be made to Onward in Faith Campaign to benefit Zion Lutheran School in Litchfield or Love Packages.

Online condolences may be left at www.plummerfuneralservices.com.