James A. Schmidt

November 16, 1924 - August 5, 2020

James A. Schmidt, 95, of Washington, Iowa, passed away August 5, 2020 at the United Presbyterian (UP) Home in Washington. Private funeral services will be held Monday, August 10th at 9:00 a.m. with Chaplain Andrew Zuehlke and Pastor Kwang Song officiating. Services will be live streamed on the Jones & Eden Facebook page. Visitation will be held from 12:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. Sunday, August 9, 2020, at the Jones & Eden Funeral Home. The family will not be present for visitation. Interment with military honors will be at Elm Grove Cemetery, immediately following the service. Memorials may be made to United Methodist Church (UMC) Pastor’s Fund, to aide families in need; the UP Home; or Hospice of Washington County. Online condolences may be sent for Jim’s family through the web at www.jonesfh.com. Jim was born on November 16, 1924 in Omaha, NE, son of Ralph and Rose (Moon) Melham. He was later adopted by Rudolph Schmidt and grew up on a farm near Anselmo, Nebraska. He graduated from Gates High School in 1942 and later from the University of Iowa School of Business. Jim enlisted in the U.S. Maritime Service and shipped out with the U.S. Merchant Marines in the North Pacific and Atlantic during WWII. Jim was united in marriage to Geraldine J. Griebel, the love of his life, on June 11, 1948. Jim and his wife, Gerry, moved to Washington from the Sand Hills of Nebraska in 1954, and quickly became active in the community. They immediately joined the United Methodist Church, where they were members for more than 65 years. Jim served on the UMC Board of Trustees as well as the finance committee and several others. He was a member of Kiwanis and served on the Board of Adjustments for the City of Washington. He was a 74 year member of the Masonic Lodge and served as past Grand Master of the Anselmo Masonic Lodge #258, Anselmo, NE. After retiring from a 25 year career with Morton International, Jim tutored students new to the area, at the Washington Junior High School, using his ESL skills and big heart. He continued informally tutoring, mentoring and supporting the Latino community in Washington for the remainder of his life. In 1998, he was recognized for these efforts by Iowa Governor Terry Branstad. Jim was especially proud of the success of the many young people he mentored. He is survived by his wife of 72 years, Gerry; daughter, Kate Rubin (Gordon Ginsberg) of Plymouth, MN; son Kirk (Cheryl) Schmidt of Decatur, IL; grandsons Tyler (Misty) Schmidt, Milwaukee, WI and Matthew Schmidt (Corey Bradley), Los Angeles, CA; granddaughter Niscah (Ronnie) Moller, Grandview, TX; great-granddaughter Mackenzie Rasar (Noah Justi), Peoria, IL; one brand new great-great-grandson, Logan James Justi; as well as 9 bonus great-grandchildren; and sister-in-law, Opal Griebel Collins. He was preceded in death by his mother, Rose Schmidt; father, Ralph Melham; and step father, Rudolph Schmidt. Jim’s family would like to thank the excellent and caring staff at the UP Home, as well as Hospice of Washington County, for their compassionate care and amazing family support.