Stanley Lyman Schmitt was born June 23, 1933, in Trenton, Nebraska to Henry and Madora Schmitt. He passed away on April 5, 2024, at West Vue Nursing Home in West Plains, Mo. He was 90 years young.
Henry was a farmer and Madora drove the tractor working with her husband on the farm. A small wooden box placed on the tractor served as a bed for baby Stanley. Stanley was introduced to the tractor at a very young age. His Dad died when he was 3 years old and his mother died two weeks later. Stanley had his 4th birthday when his mother died.
Stanley was raised by his grandparents on the farm in Nebraska. He would ride the tractor with his Grand-Dad and when he would get tired, Grand Dad would stop and let him go lie down in the field to take a nap. His Grandmother took him to church and he accepted Jesus as a young boy.
Stanley married Mary Lou Hall and to this union, two boys were born, Joe and Jake. This marriage ended in divorce.
Stanley was a farmer most of his life and was very knowledgeable on farm equipment. He later moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota. He was employed at Miles Homes in Minneapolis. He was certified for running 2000 hp boilers. He retired at age 76, but never really retired as he was always doing something useful.
Stanley was a kind and caring man and a dedicated Christian. He loved to garden and loved to share vegetables from his garden. He had beds of beautiful flowers in his yard. He mowed his lawn and also his neighbor’s lawns. In the winter he would clear the snow from his driveway and then go down the street to clean his neighbor’s driveways. He loved thrift stores and he collected salt and pepper shakers.
In June 2021, he moved from Minneapolis, Minnesota to West Plains, Missouri, where he lived with his son and daughter-in-law. He attended Spring Creek Community Church and always looked forward to Sunday mornings. He would ask May to write down the scriptures for him. Every day after breakfast, he sat at the kitchen table and read his Bible. He would look up all the scriptures from Sunday’s message and he would study them. Many times, he sat at the table with his open Bible, his head bowed and his hands folded in prayer.
Due to health issues, he was admitted to West Vue Nursing Home on January 2, 2024. He continued to share his faith with others in the home and was instrumental in getting 100 Gideon Bibles brought into West Vue. He continued to read his Bible and pray every day! He always showed kindness to everyone he met while he was there.
If you were ever at the Battery Station or Salutes, and you saw an old man riding a 3-wheel bicycle in the parking lot, that was Stanley. At 90 years young, he was still riding his bicycle and if he couldn’t go outside to ride, he would ride the exercise bike in the house. He would ride it for 2 or 3 hours at a time if we would let him. Exercise and being active was very important to him. He loved fresh fruit and vegetables, eating healthy was important, but he loved junk food too.
He was very faithful in his beliefs, but most importantly, he lived what he believed in the way he showed care and kindness toward others. He had a strong belief that you should treat others as you would want to be treated. When asked, “Who is your neighbor”? His reply was “Whoever you meet and greet along life’s pathway. Don’t hesitate to do good for others for you might just befriend an Angel! Treat everyone right”
Stanley loved people and his concern was that everyone needs to know Jesus. He took this seriously and prayed many earnest prayers. He would want you to know that Jesus loves you and He died on the cross for you. John 3:16.
Stanley is survived by his sons, Joe Schmitt & wife May of West Plains; Jacob K Schmitt & wife DeDe of Moody; two grandsons, Jacob M Schmitt and Sue of West Plains; Isaac Schmitt and Jessica of West Plains; and five great-grandchildren; Rayney Conerly, Fay Schmitt, Miles Schmitt, Lisa Schmitt and Adam Schmitt.
Stanley’s funeral will take place tomorrow, April 20th, at 2 p.m. at the Spring Creek Church on K Hwy.
