Melvin A. Schmidt

He was born on December 6, 1916 in Peoria, IL to Harry A. and Myrtle (Hawley) Schmidt. He married Sadie Marie Hamlin and she preceded him in death on November 11, 2009. His parents, one son, Ben Schmidt, one daughter, Kathy Beltramea, one sister, Dorothy Lawless and one brother, Elwood Schmidt also preceded him in death.

Surviving are his brother, Dean Schmidt of Peoria, IL; Sister-in-Law, Claretta McKenna, two daughters, Teri (Ron) Bauer of Tampa, FL and Barbara Schmidt of Huntington Beach, CA; one son, Dale (Christi) Schmidt of Dublin OH; one son-in-law, Michael Beltramea of Washburn, IL; five grandchildren, Heidi Bauer, Casey Bauer, Sarah Schumacher, David Beltramea and Tayler Schmidt; and five great-grandchildren.

Melvin retired from Caterpillar in 1979 after 45 years of service in Engineering and Patent Department. He was the Lead Design Engineer of the #600 Series Wheel Tractors and Scrapers and the 900 Series articulated tractors, manager of Sub-Contract Design Engineering and a Patent Engineer. He was a past member of Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) and the 32◦ Mason and Shriners – Peoria Lodge #15. Melvin was a life-long active member of Zion Lutheran Church of Peoria.

A service will be held on Tuesday, December 11, 2012 at 11:00 am with visitation one hour prior to the service at Zion Lutheran Church in Peoria. The Rev. Steven Tibbetts will officiate. Burial will follow the service at Lutheran Cemetery in Peoria.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Zion Lutheran Church, 1534 South Easton Ave, Peoria, IL 61605.

Please visit Melvin's story at www.davison-fulton.com.