Vern Richard Schmidt

Vernon Vern Richard Schmidt, 56, of Danville, passed away at 11:10 p.m. Wednesday, September 13, 2006 at St. Joseph Hospital in Lexington, Kentucky. Vern was born on March 27, 1950 in Albert Lea, Minnesota, the son of Philip and Phyllis (Wulff) Schmidt. He married Rita Cuthrell on February 17, 1990 in Alvin, Illinois. She survives. He is also survived by his mother- Phyllis Schmidt of Owatonna, Minnesota; three sons- Travis ( Michelle) Schmidt of Portland, Oregon, , Tim Schmidt of Portland, Oregon, and Jeremy Schmidt of Seattle, Washington; five daughters- Sandy (Jeff) Berthelsen of Echo, Minnesota, Shanon Schmidt of Red Wing, Minnesota, Judy (Doug) Schimmel of West Lafayette, Indiana, Amanda (Aaron) Goodrum of Danville, and Lisa (Doug) Oliver of Indianapolis, Indiana; one brother- Jerome (Beverly) Schmidt of Owatonna, Minnesota; two sisters- Carolyn Bauman of Owatonna, Minnesota and Kathy (Curt) Anhorn of Gouverneur, New York; seven grandchildren- Tyler and Tony Berthelsen, Christina Douglas, David and Brian Schimmel, and Darren and Tia Oliver; one great-grandchild on the way; and several nieces, nephews, and very special friends. He was preceded in death by his father. Vern attended Owatonna High School in Minnesota. He worked for 32 years as a truck driver, working most recently at Nu-Way Transportation. He was a member of Living Grace Church of God in Danville. Vern served as a church counsel member at the church. Vern was a very spiritual man and enjoyed going to church. He was a very patient and unselfish man. He loved to take his kids bullhead fishing when they were younger and go on bike rides with them. Vern spent a lot of his time on the road. When he was home the family would love for him to make his famous French toast for breakfast. He enjoyed listening to the Minnesota Twins play baseball on the radio while driving in his truck. Vern also enjoyed bowling and being very competitive at putt-putt golf, where he had seven holes-in-one at one point playing putt-putt. Vern loved to spend time going to local amusement parks. He enjoyed eating fudgecicles and Andes mints. He loved to spend his time with his family and wrestling on the floor with all of his children. He was very proud of all of his family and especially his two sons who recently served in the military. A celebration of the life of Vern Richard Schmidt will be at 10:00 a.m. Monday, September 18, 2006 at Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Danville, with Rev. John Henderson officiating. Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. at the funeral home on Sunday. Burial will be at Sunset Memorial Park on Monday. Memorials may be sent in Verns name to the Living Grace Church of God 15 North Vermilion St. Danville, Illinois 61832. E-mail condolences may be sent to the family at: www.sunsetfuneralhome.com.