MARY L. SCHMIDT

Mrs. Mary Louise Schmidt, 75 of 2621 North 12th Street died at 6:47 pm Tuesday (January 23, 2007) in Blessing Hospital.

Born June 2, 1931 in Quincy, Mary was the daughter of William C. and Fern Evans Sanders. She married Donald Edward Schmidt on June 10, 1950 in Quincy Illinois. He died November 26, 1991.

Mrs. Schmidt was a member of Grace United Methodist Church where she served as a Sunday School Teacher, Choir member, Church Historian, Lay member, IGRAC-UMC, United Methodist Women President, Administrative Board Member, Evangelism Chairperson, and on the Finance Committee. She served as Treasurer & President of the United Methodist Women in the former Jacksonville District Central Illinois Conference and District Council on Ministry. Central Illinois Conference United Methodist Women Secretary, Assistant Dean of Dean of Schools of Christian Mission and served on the Board of Cunningham Children's Home Urbana, Illinois. Mary also served as secretary of Midwest Regional Planning Team, the North Central Jurisdiction Core Planning Group Committee on Nominations & Publicity Chair of NCJ-UMW Quadrennial Meeting in 1988, and the Illinois Great River Conference UMW Nomination Committee. She served on the Central Illinois Conference UMC Board of Missions, Ecumenical & Interreligious Commission and Conference Rules of Order. She served as President of Quincy Church Women United during the 30th & 50th Year Anniversary of CWU and as Historian 2005-06 & Celebration Day Committee.

Mrs. Schmidt was active in the PTA, where she served as Past President of Washington School, Senior High I & Quincy City Council. She is an Honorary Life Member of the Illinois PTA & the National PTA. Mrs. Schmidt was also a Junior Girl Scout Leader, Cadette Girl Scout Assistant Leader, Two Rivers GSA Day Camp/Established Camp Leader. She served 7 years as Cub Scout Den Mother, Pack 20, and as a Committee Member of Boy Scout Troop 20 sponsored by Grace UMC. Mrs. Schmidt was a past Secretary, Vice President & President of Sunset Home Auxiliary.

Mrs. Schmidt was employed by Wal-mart, Jo-Ann Fabrics, Motorola, Bird's Drug Store. She did U.S. Census work in 1970, 1989 & 1998.

Surviving are two sons: Donald E. Schmidt, Jr. and his wife Nacky of Sacramento, CA, and Eric J. Schmidt and his wife Sue of Savage MN,; a daughter Cathie Cottrell & her husband Don F. of Richland, MO.; five grandchildren, Christine Schmidt and Amanda Schmidt of Sacramento CA, Danny Cottrell of Richland, MO, Michael Cottrell and his wife Barb of Eldridge MO. and Crystal Cottrell of Richland MO.; three step grandchildren, Carrie George of Savage MN, Val Johnson of Burnsville, MN, Janne Johnson of Savage MN, five great grandchildren, Kelsey Cottrell, Shawn Cottrell, Tyler Hill, Brenden Cottrell, and Paige Cottrell. five step great grandchildren, Anna Hill, Lindsey Hill , Lacy George, Lauren George, and Haillie Beissel; five brothers, John Sanders of Hannibal, MO, Robert Sanders of Milan, IL, Richard Sanders of Hillsdale IL, Earl Sanders and his wife Mary of Rock Island, IL, and Roger Sanders of California; three sisters, Hazel Akers and her husband Floyd and Grace Garner and her husband Don both of Quincy and Betty Burch and her husband Clyde of LaPlata, MO; and several nieces and nephews.

Mrs. Schmidt was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; three brothers William E. Sanders, Arthur F. Sanders and Edward Thomas Sanders; and two sisters, Delores Davis and Anna Hipkins.

Funeral Services will be held Saturday morning at 11:00 in the Zehender Robinson Stormer Cookson Funeral Home by the Rev. Steve Livengood. Burial will be in Greenmount Cemetery.

Visitation will be Friday evening from 4:00 to 7:00 and Saturday until the time of service at the Funeral Home.

Memorials to honor Mrs. Schmidt may be made to Grace United Methodist Church or Cunningham Children's Home of Urbana, Illinois.