John L. Schmeidler

John Leslie Schmeidler, 59, rural Catharine, died Saturday, April 17, 2010, as a result of a motor vehicle accident. He was born August 15, 1950, in Columbus, Montana to Roger and Elaine (Gerstner) Russell. After Elaine's death in 1956, John was adopted and reared by Josephine (Gerstner) and Fidelis Schmeidler. He was preceded in death by both sets of parents and a half-sister Robin Russell.A 1968 Graduate from Hays High School, John attended Fort Hays State University earning a Masters in Mathematics and a minor in Political Science. He worked as the Assistant Director of Planning at Wichita State University prior to returning to the Hays area, working briefly in real estate at Robert Finch and Associates before becoming co-owner of Formation Testing services. He later engaged in farming/ranching and in oil production.He was a member of St. Catherine's Catholic Church, Catharine where he served on the parish council and was a Eucharistic Minister. He was a 3rd Degree Knights of Columbus St Catherine Council # 11687, 4th Degree Knights of Columbus Bishop Cunningham Assembly #282. He also served on several committees of the Heartland Parishes.John is survived by a son, Austin and wife Jessica of Hays; step-mother, Carol Berg of Bismarck, North Dakota; a brother, James Russell and wife Cynthia of Schofield, Wisconsin; a half-brother Scott Russell and wife Cynthia of Larkspur, Colorado; a sister, Sheila Bosch and husband Ray of Gorham, Kansas and a half-sister, Tracy Tingler and husband Jim of Kalispell, Montana, several nieces and nephews, special friend Barb Anderson and many close friends.Funeral services will be at 1:00 P.M. Tuesday at St. Catherine Catholic Church in Catharine. Burial will be in St. Joseph's Cemetery, Hays.Visitation will be Monday 2:00 P.M. - 9:00 P.M. and Tuesday 10:00 A.M. - 12:00 Noon all at Brock's North Hill Chapel 2509 Vine, Hays. A Knights of Columbus Rosary will be Monday at 6:30 P.M. followed by a Parish Vigil at 7:00 P.M.Contributions are suggested to TMP-Marian or to St. Catherine Charitable Fund.











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