SCHMIDT, Spc. Ronald Andrew "Ronnie" - b. August 5, 1989 - d. August 3, 2008

[flo]

I'm not printing the whole obit, but many of you have heard on the news this past week about a fallen hero, Ronald Schmidt, from Newton, who lost his life in Iraq.  What they haven't told you is that Ronnie's grandparents lived just north of Piedmont for many many years.  His grandmother worked in the GW Co. Courthouse, I think road and bridge dept.  Ronnie attended school in Eureka for part of his grade school years.  His funeral service was in Newton this morning then the procession, led by the Patriot Guard comes to Eureka where he will be buried this afternoon.  

[patyrn]

Thanks, Flo, for that information.  I had seen the article but did not know he was connected to anyone with ties in our area.  I'll get the obituary posted tonight.

KRI

[flo]

That's okay, I didn't put two and two together the first time I seen the story on TV.  I just thought since he was from this general area, that perhaps people would want to know.  

[Chelle]

Flo, I had Ronnie in class as a substitute in Eureka.  I know his father passed away with Chrones Disease.  Were any of his grandparents still alive?  Where did his mother live?  Ronnie was my son Travis's age.  I was shocked by the news.  

[patyrn]

NEWTON - Spc. Ronald Andrew "Ronnie" Schmidt, 18, Army National Guard specialist, died Sunday, August 3, 2008 while serving in Iraq.  

Ronnie was born in Newton, Kansas on August 5, 1989 and moved as a small child to Eureka, Kansas.  While growing up, he was always following close behind his grandfather, Fritz.  The two were the best of friends.  When he was 10 years old in the year 2000, he lost his grandfather.  At the age of 12, he lost his father, Brian.  That year he moved to Newton, Kansas and attended Santa Fe Middle School and graduated in 2007 from Newton High School.  Ronnie was a strong young man who loved a challenge and wanted to be the best at whatever he was competing in.  He lettered in wrestling all four years of high school.  He loved to go trail riding in the mountains of Colorado with his Uncle Paul and loved to work on his car with his very good friend, Larry Nuehring.  During his senior year, he joined the Army National Guard and became a "M" day soldier.  After high school graduation, he went to basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, followed immediately by AIT training in Fort Sill, Oklahoma.  On the last day of his AIT training, he was informed that he would be attending readiness training at Fort Bliss, Texas.  The following January he was deployed to Iraq and was stationed at Camp Ashraf as a gunner in the alpha Humvee running routes for IEDs.  Ronnie was a brave, dedicated, and determined soldier.  This young hero was loved and will truly be missed.  GOD BLESS OUR HERO.

He was preceded in death by his father, Brian Schmidt; his grandparents, Alfred "Fritz" Schmidt, Betty Schmidt, Beatrice Serrato, and Raymond Salas, Jr  

Survivors are his mother, Andrea Schmidt of Newton, Kansas; aunt and uncles, Paul and Laura Schmidt of Goddard, Kansas, Mark Schmidt of Hastings, Michigan; two half-brothers.

Military services were held at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, August 13, 2008, at Grace Community Church in Newton, Kansas.  Burial was held at Greenwood Cemetery in Eureka, Kansas.

A memorial has been established with USD 373 for the "Ronnie Schmidt Wrestling Memorial Fund", c/o Newton High School, 900 W. 12th, Newton, KS  67114.  Tributes may be sent to the family via www.dlwichita.com

Downing & Lahey Mortuary West in Wichita, Kansas was in charge of arrangements.

(Published in the Wichita Eagle 8/12/2008)