Dona M. Schmidt

Dona Schmidt was a dedicated wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Dona (Buller) Schmidt was born August 1, 1926 in Marietta, OK. In 1935, she moved with her parents, Herman and Mary Buller and four brothers to Reedley, CA. She attended Reedley schools and graduated from Reedley High School in 1946. Dona studied sewing and tailoring at Reedley College. In the Fall of 1936, Jake and Ethel Schmidt, along with sons Glenn and Vernon, invited the Buller family to attend the Full Gospel Tabernacle Church in Reedley. By 1943, Vernon was dating Dona. Their engagement was interrupted by World War II where Vernon served with the 90th Infantry Division under General Patton in Europe. After Vernon was home six weeks, they were married on September 27, 1946. They settled in Reedley where they raised three children. In 1975, they moved to Fresno. Very soon after, Dona graduated from Federico's Beauty College as a licensed manicurist. She worked 17 years at Marion's Beauty Salon in Fresno. After a short illness, Dona passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 8, 2015. Her beautiful smile and gentle spirit will be missed. She has joined two brothers, Franklin and Vernon; and her parents, Herman and Mary Buller in Heaven. Dona is survived by her loving husband of 68 years, Vernon; sons, Keith and Chris; daughter, Audrey Tarvin; four grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.Visitation will be held at Whitehurst, Sullivan, Burns & Blari Funeral Home on Sunday, March 15, 2015 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. A Graveside Service will be held Monday, March 16, 2015, at 10:00 a.m. at the Reedley Cemetery District Pavilion, 2185 South Reed Avenue, Reedley, CA 93654. A Celebration of Life will be held Monday, March 16, 2015 at 1:00 a.m. at Peoples Church, G.L. Johnson Chapel, 7172 North Cedar Avenue, Fresno, CA 93720. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Fresno Rescue Mission, PO Box 1422, Fresno, CA 93716-1422, or Fresno County TEEN CHALLENGE, 1325 N Wishon Ave. Fresno,93728