Donald William Schmidt, 76, of Aurora passed away at his home with his family by his side on August 18, 2003. Donald was born December 31, 1926 in Ottosen, IA to the late Fred and late Emma Schmidt (Messner).
    Donald married Cleora Meidl on May 8, 1951 in New Ulm, MN. Before Donald's retirement in 1989 he was a heavy equipment operator and mechanic for T&R Construction for thirty years. Don was also a member of Holy Angels Church, Knights of Columbus Council #7680 and a fifty year member of Local #150 Operating Engineers.
    Donald is survived by his loving wife of 52 years, Cleora (Meidl) Schmidt; a son, Bruce (Gail) Schmidt of Yorkville, IL; a daughter, Patricia (Al) Symanietz of Waconia, MN; a daughter, Carolyn (Peter) Veller of Oswego, IL; a daughter, Cheryl (Paul) Beane of Aurora, IL; a daughter, JoAnn (Fiance Joe Winings) Schmidt of McClure, IL; a daughter, Cynthia (Mike) Galles of Aurora, IL; a son, Donald (Marla) Schmidt of Montgomery, IL; a son, Gerald (Linda) Schmidt of Aurora, IL; 14 grandchildren, Ryan Schmidt, Jenna Schmidt, Steve Schmidt, Tracy (Allen) Glenn, Dawn (Pablo) Borean, Justin Symanietz, David Veller, Nicole Beane, Brandon Galles, Neil Galles, Andrea Galles, Gretchen Schmidt, Andrew Schmidt, Matthew Schmidt; one great-grandson, Ashden Glenn; five brothers, Arthur (the late Alma) Schmidt of West Bend, IA, Delbert (Jeanette) of Elgin, IL, Elmer (Hazel) Schmidt of Lafayette, MN, Lester (Shirley) Schmidt of Ford Dodge, IA, Eugene (the late Ella Mae) Schmidt of Gaylord, MN, Darrel (Darlene) Schmidt of Winthrop, MN; a sister, Ethel (the late Joe) Bednarski of Burnsville, MN; three special nephews, Fred Schmidt, Ed Schmidt and Robert Schmidt all from West Bend, Iowa; and many loving nieces and nephews.
    Donald was preceded in death by his parents; six brothers, Eli, Orville, Alvin, Merlin, Kenneth, Richard; and a sister, Caroline Overson.
    Funeral services will be Thursday, August 21, 2003 at 9:30 a.m. at Dieterle Memorial Home, 1120 S. Broadway, Montgomery, with a Mass for Christian burial at 10 a.m. at Holy Angels Catholic Church. Father Goodwin Asuquo will officiate. Burial will take place at River Hills Memorial Park. Visitation will be Wednesday, August 20, 2003 from 4-9 p.m. with a Liturgical wake service 7 PM with Deacon Tom Hawksworth officiating at Dieterle Memorial Home, 1120 S. Broadway, Montgomery. Donald's family would like to give special thanks to Dr. K. Patel, Dr. S. Reddy, the staff at Copley Cancer Care Center and Vitas Hospice for all their help provided. In lieu of flowers, donations in Donald's name to Vitas Hospice will be appreciated.