Joan L Schmeidler

Joan Louise (Tingstrum) Schmeidler, 86, was born on December 22, 1931, in Washington, DC to Frieda (Cohen) Tingstrum and James F. Tingstrum. She was raised in Arlington, VA. Joan graduated from Washington-Lee High School in 1950. She met and married the love of her life, James Henry Schmeidler Sr. “Smiley” on June 17, 1950. They moved to Hays, KS in 1953 and then to Wichita in 1954 where they remained until their passing. They had and raised ten children with unconditional love. Joan went to work at St. Francis Hospital from 1968 as a nurse’s aide on the pediatric floor. She loved working there with all the children. Later she was transferred to the orthopedic floor as a unit clerk until she retired in 1994. Joan was very active with the Altar Society and other church committees at St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church where she was a member since 1955. She made and cherished life-long friends and was cherished by many herself. She was dedicated to her family and was obviously a strong influence on all her children, In-laws and grandchildren. While Joan was a resident at the Villa Maria in Mulvane, nothing would make her smile more than seeing and getting to hold her great-grandchildren. This remarkable woman accepted everybody for who they were and would always offer a helping hand. After her retirement she traveled the country with Smiley. Joan loved basketball, baseball and football. She attended at many of her children’s sporting events, plays and other activities as she could. This continued as them became adults and she was often seen at her grandchildren’s events. Joan cheered on the Wichita State University Shocks and the Kansas City Chiefs, both live and on TV.

Joan was surrounded with love by her surviving children, In-laws and grandchildren when she passed away on January 21, 2018. She is survived by her children, Dr. David (Karen), Joseph (Joyce), Douglas (Kelly) Schmeidler, Sharon (Jeff) Mounce, Kathryn, Thomas (Gail), Daniel (Rhonda), Richard (Elaine), William (Leslie) and D-I-L Connie Schmeidler. Joan is also survived by her sisters, Lucille (Ron) Finn and Ruby (Jim) Berkemeyer; 30 grandchildren; 65 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband “Smiley”; brother, Jim; son, Jim and granddaughter, Tawnya. Rosary will be 8:00 PM Thursday, January 25, 2018 and Funeral Mass 10:00 AM Friday, January 26, 2018 both at St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church. Memorials established with St. Margaret Mary Catholic School and Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice.