Paul V. Schmit, 70, of Beaver Crossing died Sunday, Aug. 2, 1998, at Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Grand Island. He has surviving relatives living in the Blair area.

Services were Wednesday, Aug. 5, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Beaver Crossing with Father Maurice Current officiating. Burial was in Calvary Cemetery at Beaver Crossing with military services conducted by American Legion Holmes Post 178.

Paul Victor Schmit was born March 8, 1928, on a ranch near Nenzel in Cherry County to John and Gertrude (Schaefer) Schmit. He attended school in Nenzel and later graduated from Valentine High School.

On July 25, 1946, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in Korea.

After his discharge, he married Doris D. Horan on July 5, 1956 at Beaver Crossing. He operated “Smitty’s Cafe” for many years in Beaver Crossing. He also was employed with the Beaver Crossing Co-op.

He was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church and was a member of the Knights of Columbus. He was a member of the American Legion Holmes Post 178 in Beaver Crossing and the 40 & 8 Voiture 103 in Lincoln.

He was scout master of Troop 179 and served as the city’s mayor for 15 years. He was a long-time member of the Beaver Crossing Volunteer Fire Department.

Throughout his life, he enjoyed working as a carpenter and built several structures in Beaver Crossing. He enjoyed fishing and making pieced quilts.

He is survived by his wife, Doris, of Beaver Crossing; children Rodger Schmit and Debra McCartney of Grand Island, Robert Schmit of Beaver Crossing, Donna and Jim Waegli of Kennard, Mary and Dennis Coufal of Brainard, Shirley and Denver Beetem of Friend and Donald and Becky Schmit of Unadilla; 10 grandchildren; three brothers, Al Schmit of Blair and Bud Schmit and Bill Schmit of Nenzel; one sister, Anna Marie Nollette of Nenzel; mother-in-law, Fern Horan of Friend and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, an infant sister and four brothers.

Memorials may be directed in care of the family.

Lauber-Moore Funeral Home in Beaver Crossing was in charge of arrangements

Find A Grave Memorial# 115949446

(Source: Blair Newspaper clipping on file in the Blair, NE library)