Benjamin Alvin Schmidt, 88, of Grain Valley, MO, passed away Thursday, July 19, 2007 at Christian Health Care of Nevada, MO. Funeral services will be 1:00 p.m. Sunday, July 22nd at Royer Funeral Home, Grain Valley. The family will receive friends at Royer’s from 12:00-1:00 p.m. preceding the service. Burial will be in Johannesthal Cemetery in Hillsboro, KS on Tuesday.

Ben was born on June17, 1919 in Wolf Point, MT, the son of Cornelius & Clara (Unruh) Schmidt. He married Frieda Guhr on August 30, 1942. They lived in Grain Valley since 1967. Ben was a carpenter and had worked in bridge construction. He was a member of Carpenter’s Local 61. He was baptized in April of 1960 and was a member of the Living Church of God. Ben was preceded in death by a son, Philip in 1975, and a brother, Kenneth in 2002.

His survivors include his wife of 64 years: Frieda Schmidt of the home; four sons: Richard Schmidt of Nevada, MO, Calvin Schmidt & wife Judith of Nevada, MO, Wayne Schmidt & wife Patty of Moscow, ID, and James Schmidt & wife Venita of Grain Valley, MO; two daughters: Nadine Szymkowiak of Independence, MO, and Elaine DenHouter & husband Dan of Ann Arbor, MI; one brother: Orval Schmidt of Nampa, ID; one sister: Gladys Schmidt of Eureka, IL; 23 grandchildren; and 20 great-grandchildren.