Alvin Arthur Schmeling was born August 6, 1932 to Harry Schmeling and Marie Catherine Schraeder Schmeling in Whittemore, Iowa, the third of seven children. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod and remained a lifelong member of the faith, eventually becoming a founding member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Lincoln, where he also served in many leadership roles over the years.
Like many young people of the Great Depression era, Alvin left home early to help his family, living and working on the Pettit Farm, beginning when he was 13 years old and in the 8th grade. He spent weekends helping with dances at the Plantation Ball Room.
Alvin graduated from Whittemore High School and served in the U.S. Air Force from 1950 to 1954 where he trained as an airplane mechanic. Following his military service, he worked for more than 40 years at The EA Pedersen Company, traveling all over Nebraska, Colorado, Iowa, and Kansas servicing municipal utility systems and making many friends in all the small towns he visited. Through rigorous study, Alvin eventually earned a Master Electrician certification. He knew everything there was to know about electricity and was so skilled that Pedersen kept him on retainer to take phone calls for years after he retired.
Alvin was united in marriage to Janet Louise Postlewait, whom he met in Colorado, in 1967. They settled in Lincoln, Nebraska, where they were blessed with two sons, David Alvin and Daniel Arthur, and eventually five granddaughters. Alvin and Janet were avid Husker fans and particularly enjoyed attending volleyball games together and watching the Atlanta Braves baseball team during their glory days. Alvin was known for his abundant gardens, particularly the homegrown “pickles” that were so popular with his grandkids. The M&M’s dispenser at Papa’s house was always kept full in case his girls stopped by to visit and fill a Dixie cup with treats. His grandchildren were the light of his life, and he was so proud of his sons and daughters-in-law.
Alvin is survived by his sons and their wives, Dave and Pam of Lincoln, and Dan and Kim of Ogden, Utah; granddaughters Elisabeth and Catherine of Ogden, and Emily, Kaitlyn and Madilyn of Lincoln; brother Craig (Judy) Schmeling of Laughlin, NV; sister Marilyn Chapman of Bullhead City, AZ; sister-in-law Joyce Baker of Oklahoma City, OK; and many nieces and nephews. His pup, Stella, was a great and loyal companion in his final years. Alvin was preceded in death by his parents and in-laws, wife Janet, and siblings Harriet, Wilfred, Carroll and Dean, and their spouses.
Alvin was a man of great and enduring faith. He has earned the ultimate reward, for he walks with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in eternal life. Due to the current health crisis, a private memorial and burial service will be held. He will be interred at Lincoln Memorial Cemetery.
John 3:16
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