Schmidt_Steven

**STEVEN McDOWELL SCHMIDT, SR.**
Bellville Times Born Sept. 9, 1954 in Houston, Steven McDowell Schmidt, Sr. was the son of Milton Henry and Rachel Jane McDowell Schmidt. He grew up and attended school in Brookshire, graduating from Royal High School in 1972. Steve attended Sam Houston State University for one year, then left to attend Commonwealth College of Sciences. While at Commonwealth, he was employed as the night-man at Settegast-Kopf Funeral Home in Houston. After his graduation from mortuary school, Steve joined the family funeral business, serving his apprenticeship at Schmidt Funeral Homes in Brookshire and Katy, eventually becoming the owner of Schmidt Funeral Home in Brookshire. He married Donna Pfeffer on Sept. 19, 1976 at St. John Lutheran Church in Bellville. They made their home in Brookshire where they have been members of the First United Methodist Church. In August 1985, Donna joined Steve in the family business, and, on April 20, 1986, Steve and Donna opened Schmidt Funeral Home in Bellville. Active in community and county affairs, Steve volunteered his time in numerous organizations. A former Brookshire City Councilman, he had served as the city's representative for the Houston Galveston Area Council. He had also served as President of the Royal FFA Parade Committee and in various capacities in the First United Methodist Church. Steve was a director of the Waller County Child Protective Services Board and for a number of years he was a volunteer firefighter serving as Fire Chief with the Brookshire Volunteer Fire Department. Steve was a member of the Bellville Lions Club, he had also been a member of Austin County Crimestoppers, and had served as the Waller County representative for both Texana MHMR and for the 100 Club. He was a director for the Brookshire-Katy Drainage District, a dual member of the Brookshire Masonic Lodge #1066, AF & AM and the Bellville Masonic Lodge #223, AF & AM, and a member of the Brookshire Chapter #652, Order of the Easter Star. Steve was also a member of both the Texas Funeral Director's Association and the National Funeral Director's Association. A devoted husband and father, Steve was particularly proud of his two sons, Steven and Ryan. He taught them the importance of family, God, and service to others, and instilled his love of competition in both of them. He also raised them with the understanding that "quitting is not an option." Steve enjoyed attending their sporting and school events while they were growing up, and he treasured the times spent hunting, fishing,and traveling with his family. An avid runner, he also enjoyed playing ping pong and arm wrestling. "Wednesday Night" with his buddies was the highlight of each week for Steve, especially after he was diagnosed with cancer. Steve passed away Saturday, Feb. 24, 2007 at his home in Brookshire at the age of 52 after a long, courageous battle with cancer. He leaves behind his wife of over 30 years Donna Schmidt of Brookshire; sons Cpt. Steven M. Schmidt, Jr., U.S. Army, Iraq, and his wife, Dawn, of Deland, Fla., and 2 Lt. Ryan A. Schmidt, U.S. Army, Korea; mother Rachel Schmidt of Brookshire; brother Milton H. "Hank" Schmidt, Jr. and his wife, Sandy, of Katy; and sisters Marian Lane and her husband, Art, of Virginia Beach, Va. and Carol Rupe and her husband, Robert, of Katy. Also surviving Steve are his father-n-law and mother-in-law Milton and Carole Pfeffer of Bellville; sister-in-law Jan Barnett and her husband, Jack, of La Porte; numerous nieces, a nephew, other relatives and many dear friends. He was preceded in death by his father. Honorary Pallbearers were all of Steve's "Wednesday Night" buddies. Prayer Service was 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2007 at First United Methodist Church, Brookshire with Dr. Roy Taylor, officiating with Dave Harris, Assisting. Funeral service was 11 a.m., Thursday, March 1, 2007 at St. John Lutheran Church in Bellville with Pastor David Henske, Pastor Jennie Jones and Father Timothy Bucek, officiating Interment was a private family graveside service in the Pilgrims Rest Cemetery in Bellville. In lieu of usual remembrances, friends who wish may make memorial gifts to the: First United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 397, Brookshire, TX 77423, St. John Lutheran Church, 520 North Holland, Bellville, TX 77418 or to the charity of their choice. Posted by Joy Neely

Bellville Times

Born Sept. 9, 1954 in Houston, Steven McDowell  Schmidt, Sr. was the son of
Milton Henry and Rachel Jane McDowell Schmidt. He grew up and attended school
in Brookshire, graduating from Royal High School in 1972.
Steve attended Sam Houston State University for one year, then left to
attend Commonwealth College of Sciences. While at Commonwealth, he was
employed as the night-man at Settegast-Kopf Funeral Home in Houston. After
his graduation from mortuary school, Steve joined the family funeral
business, serving his apprenticeship at Schmidt Funeral Homes in Brookshire
and Katy, eventually becoming the owner of Schmidt Funeral Home in
Brookshire.
He married Donna Pfeffer on Sept. 19, 1976 at St. John Lutheran Church in
Bellville. They made their home in Brookshire where they have been members
of the First United Methodist Church. In August 1985, Donna joined Steve in
the family business, and, on April 20, 1986, Steve and Donna opened Schmidt
Funeral Home in Bellville.
Active in community and county affairs, Steve volunteered his time in
numerous organizations. A former Brookshire City Councilman, he had served
as the city's representative for the Houston Galveston Area Council. He had
also served as President of the Royal FFA Parade Committee and in various
capacities in the First United Methodist Church. Steve was a director of the
Waller County Child Protective Services Board and for a number of years he
was a volunteer firefighter serving as Fire Chief with the Brookshire
Volunteer Fire Department.  Steve was a member of the Bellville Lions Club,
he had also been a member of Austin County Crimestoppers, and had served as
the Waller County representative for both Texana MHMR and for the 100 Club.
He was a director for the Brookshire-Katy Drainage District, a dual member
of the  Brookshire Masonic Lodge #1066, AF & AM and the Bellville Masonic
Lodge #223, AF & AM, and a member of the Brookshire Chapter #652, Order of
the Easter Star.  Steve was also a member of both the Texas Funeral
Director's Association and the National Funeral Director's Association.
A devoted husband and father, Steve was particularly proud of his two sons,
Steven and Ryan. He taught them the importance of family, God, and service
to others, and instilled his love of competition in both of them.
He also raised them with the understanding that "quitting is not an option."
Steve enjoyed attending their sporting and school events while they were
growing up, and he treasured the times spent hunting, fishing,and traveling
with his family.
An avid runner, he also enjoyed playing ping pong and arm wrestling.
"Wednesday Night" with his buddies was the highlight of each week for Steve,
especially after he was diagnosed with cancer.
Steve passed away Saturday, Feb. 24, 2007 at his home in Brookshire at the
age of 52 after a long, courageous battle with cancer.
He leaves behind his wife of over 30 years Donna Schmidt of Brookshire; sons
Cpt. Steven M. Schmidt, Jr., U.S. Army, Iraq, and his wife, Dawn, of Deland,
Fla., and 2 Lt. Ryan A. Schmidt, U.S. Army, Korea; mother Rachel Schmidt of
Brookshire; brother Milton H. "Hank" Schmidt, Jr. and his wife, Sandy, of
Katy; and sisters Marian Lane and her husband, Art, of Virginia Beach, Va.
and Carol Rupe and her husband, Robert, of Katy. Also surviving Steve are
his father-n-law and mother-in-law Milton and Carole Pfeffer of Bellville;
sister-in-law Jan Barnett and her husband, Jack, of La Porte; numerous
nieces, a nephew, other relatives and many dear friends.
He was preceded in death by his father.
Honorary Pallbearers were all of  Steve's "Wednesday Night" buddies.
Prayer Service was 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2007 at First United Methodist
Church, Brookshire with Dr. Roy Taylor, officiating with Dave Harris,
Assisting.
Funeral service was 11 a.m., Thursday, March 1, 2007 at St. John Lutheran
Church in Bellville with Pastor David Henske, Pastor Jennie Jones and Father
Timothy Bucek, officiating
Interment was a private family graveside service in the Pilgrims Rest
Cemetery in Bellville.
In lieu of usual remembrances, friends who  wish may make memorial gifts to
the: First United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 397, Brookshire, TX 77423, St.
John Lutheran Church, 520 North Holland, Bellville, TX 77418 or to the
charity of their choice.

Posted by Joy Neely

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