Beatrice Schmidt

Beatrice Lena "Bea" (Shafer) Schmidt, age 89, of Vicksburg, MI, died Friday morning, April 10, 2015 at Bronson United Methodist Hospital, Kalamazoo, MI. Bea, the daughter of John and Bessie (Babcock) Shafer, was born in Ross Township of Kalamazoo County on August 11, 1925 and was a lifetime area resident. Bea was united in marriage to Walter Frank Schmidt, Sr. on February 26, 1949 in Goshen, IN and he sadly preceded her in death on April 27, 1977. Surviving are two sons, Walter F. Schmidt of Vicksburg and Henry F. "Hank" (Amy) Schmidt of Scotts, MI; five grandchildren; three great grandchildren and her sister, Rose (Jim) Green of Parchment, MI. Bea was also preceded in death by her parents; her daughter, Beatrice M. Lamb in 2012; by three sisters, Betty, Mary and Grethel; her three brothers, John, Bill and Bob and a longtime friend and fishing partner, James Valitchka. The Funeral Service to celebrate Bea's life will be held on Friday, April 17th at 1:00 p.m. at the Farley-Estes & Dowdle Funeral Home, Richland Chapel, 9170 East D Avenue (M-89) with Rev. Robert G. Muirhead, officiating. Interment will follow in Oak Grove Cemetery, Galesburg, MI. Bea's family will greet friends on Friday from Noon until service time at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Bea's honor may be directed to Animal Rescue Project.org.