He grew up on his family greenhouse farm on Darmstadt Road in rural Evansville with his siblings Jane, Emma Lee, John and Tom. He graduated from Reitz High School in 1945. He received his bachelor’s degree from Evansville College in 1949 and his master’s degree from Indiana University in 1955. Both degrees were in education. During the Korean Conflict, Jim served in the US Army with the 7th Army Aerial Reconnaissance Company conducting photographic interpretation. Following his service, he became a teacher and counselor with the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation at Cynthia Heights, Dexter and Glenwood schools. He was with the EVSC for 38 years and was a member of Phi Delta Kappa. Jim was a member of Bethlehem United Church of Christ where he enjoyed singing in the choir. He previously attended Salem United Methodist Church.
Jim was preceded in death in 2009 by his wife, Nola Anne (Horne) Schmidt, who he married in 1954; sister, Emma Lee Seifert and brother, John Schmidt.
He is survived by daughter, Julia (Tom) Boettcher; son, James W. (Lori) Schmidt; 6 grandchildren, Betsy (Martyn) Nellis, Will (Caitlin) Schmidt, Callie (Adam) Paleski, Michelle Barker, Diane (Tim) Howard and Tom Boettcher; 4 great-grandchildren and 2 more expected this summer; siblings, Jane Eberhart and Thomas (Jan) Schmidt; in-laws Wilson (Lyn) Home, Virgil (Ann) Horne, Sue (Jack) Schriber, many nieces and nephews, and Jean Fritz, with whom he had a loving and dear friendship for the last several years.
Funeral Services will be 1:00 PM, Monday, March 14, 2016 at Bethlehem United Church of Christ, 6400 Oakhill Rd., Evansville, IN 47725, officiated by Rev. Mark Sirnic, with burial in Bethlehem United Church of Christ Cemetery. Friends may visit Monday from 11:00 AM to service time at the church.
Memorial contributions may be made to Bethlehem United Church of Christ or a charity of your choice. Condolences may be made online at AlexanderNorthChapel.com.
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