Orville Schmit

ORVILLE LEO SCHMIT 

OCTOBER 2 1933- MARCH 15 2026

Orville Schmit passed away peacefully after a short battle with cancer at ArborCare Countryside Homes in Madison Ne.

Mass of Christian Burial is 10:30 Monday, March 23 at St. Bonaventure Church in Columbus. Family will receive friends from 4-6 pm Sunday at McKown Funeral Home with a Vigil service to follow at 6:00. Visitation will continue from 9:30 am until service time Monday at the church. Interment with Military Honors by The American Legion Hartman Post #84 Honor Guard will follow a luncheon at St. Peter and Mary Cemetery by Bellwood.

Orville Leo Schmit was born October 2,1933 to Peter and Gertrude Schmit in Bellwood, NE. He grew up on a farm in Bellwood where he was raised and attended Marietta School where he played basketball and baseball graduating from Bellwood High in 1951. He farmed with his father until 1954 then he attended Nebraska School for Continuing High Education in Lincoln, and Manager School in Kansas. Orville was drafted into the United States Army on January 12,1954, and served in Germany with the 2nd Armored Division "Hell on Wheels", where he attained the rank of Specialist Third Class and worked in the Fire Direction Center calculating artillery firing data and coordinating artillery support. He also served as a driver and aide to a NATO headquarters Colonel during training exercises in Europe and completed his active-duty service on December 23,1956, later receiving an honorable discharge after continuing in the Army Reserve until January 12,1962. He then met Peggy Duncan the love of his life in Auburn, NE and they were married in 1958. He was a meat cutter and meat department manager for 36 years working at Hinky Dinky, Save Mart, Family Thrift Center, and Sun Mart most of that time working for Hinky Dinky.

At the age of 59 Orville suffered a stroke which ended his full-time working career. He later worked for Payless Shoes and Ziebart car wash. He enjoyed seeing people and visiting with them, always had a story to tell. After Living in Auburn he was transferred to Wahoo Hinky Dinky, he was very active at this time in the Kiwanis Club served on the church board and the Police Magistrate and Assistant Fire Chief. In 1970 Orville and his family moved to Columbus where he raised his family and worked for Hinky Dinky. Orville loved life, whatever the job he enjoyed helping friends and neighbors when in need. He loved Hunting and especially FISHING! He was very happy to be able to teach his great-grandkids how to fish, he spent much of his time fishing with relatives and always had a great "catch" and story to share. Sunrises were his favorite when he was fishing. He loved spending time at the cabin, taking many trips to Arizona, and San Antonio in the winter months. He was a member of the American Legion, and The Knights of Columbus where he received his 50-year pin. He never took a day for granted he was a lifelong member of St. Bonaventure Church and he was close with his Christian faith; God was 1st in his life. He lived a great full life, was a kind and gentle Husband, Father and Grandfather and Great¬grandfather. He loved his grandchildren so much taking in all their activities. Loved going to cross country meets, football games, wrestling meets, and dog shows. With the highlight of watching his grandsons compete in State Wrestling. He always had a smile with a joke or two. He enjoyed writing stories, puzzles, and painting in his later age and spending time at the senior center where he had many friends there. He recently received his Quilt of Valor.

He is survived by:

Daughter Jeannie (Seth) Warnke of San Tan Valley AZ 

Grandson Cameron (fiancé CeCe) Lincoln, NE Grandson Tyler (Gemma)Warnke Houston, TX

Daughter Linda (Tim) Rodehorst of Columbus, NE 

Grandson Merit (Judi) Rodehorst Grand Island, NE

Great grandchildren Alaina, Jack, Eyla Rodehorst Grandson Clayton (Paige) Rodehorst Columbus, NE Great grandchildren Tucker and Isabel Rodehorst Grandson Logan (Tiffany)Rodehorst Columbus, NE Great grandchildren Adalynn, Leo, Hazel and Baby R Rodehorst

Son Daniel Schmit (Jim) of San Antonio TX

Son Thomas (Lisa) Schmit of Lima Peru 

Grandchildren Corrie and Peter Schmit.

Many nieces and nephews

Preceded in death by Wife Peggy Schmit, Brother Don (Norma) Schmit, Sister Lorene (Dean) Kallenbach, Sister Dorthy (Gene) Moyer, Brother Eugene (Kathy) Schmit, Parents Peter and Gertrude Schmit, Stepmother Rose Kosziek In-law Ross and Katherine Duncan, Brother-in-law Bob (Geri) Duncan, Stepbrothers Lavem (Norma) Kozisek, Gene, Bill (Betty) Kozisek, and Sister-in-law Maxine (Roger) Bredahl