William Henry Schmidt

William Henry Schmidt, also known as Bill or Bud Schmidt, died in the very earliest hours of Wednesday, November 29, 2023, at the age of 98. He died at what had become his home for the last 2 years in Bowling Green, Kentucky, with his daughter and her family. Bill was a lifelong resident of Darmstadt Road. He was the only son of William Conrad Schmidt and Cora Gardner Schmidt. He had 2 older sisters, Louise Schmidt Hennekes and Minnie Schmidt Marchant. This farming family had a ½ acre glass greenhouse and raised tomatoes, lettuce, and other field crops for the community grocery stores. He graduated from Reitz High School in 1943. Being the only son of this agricultural family, he was exempt from military service during WWII and remained at home to raise food. He loved to travel – working a mule ship to Greece at age 22, hitchhiking to California, driving to both Alaska and Guatemala. When a family came along, he faithfully took them to National and State parks across the nation, visiting the Smokies, in particular, into his 90s. In 1961, at the age of 36, he married “the perfect woman for him,” Emmalouise Seegmueller Schmidt. At that same time, he adopted Tery Schmidt to love and raise as his own. They lived at his childhood home on Darmstadt Road and continued the greenhouse business together, growing the best and freshest tomatoes and lettuce for both local businesses and their roadside stand. They served hundreds of neighbors each “Monday, Wednesday, and Friday” of the growing season. Bill and Emmy eventually had a daughter, Molly Schmidt Baker, and raised her on the farm as well. Bill was a lifelong member of Salem United Methodist Church on Kratzville Road and served as a trustee for seasons and in the choir for over 60 years. He also was dedicated to the Vanderburgh Co 4-H Fair where he worked in the vegetable and garden entries, and he loved the Southern Indiana Antique Machinery club and its members. After 54 years of marriage, Emmy passed away and Bill was left at age 90 to live on his own. He continued to live at the farm until his health prevented him from living alone in 2022. At that time, he moved to Bowling Green, Kentucky, to live at the home of Molly, his daughter. For the final two years of his life, he was cared for by this family at home and attended Bethany Baptist Church, even attending church two days before his death. Because of his kind, kind spirit, Bill was much loved by his family, especially his nephews, nieces, and grandchildren. May God be glorified. Friends and family may visit on Saturday, December 2, 2023 from 12:00 noon until 7:00 p.m. at Alexander North Chapel 4200 Stringtown Rd. A private burial will be held in Oak Ridge Cemetery. Condolences may be offered at www.AlexanderNorthChapel.com.