MENDOTA - Donald O. Schmidt, 91, of Mendota passed away Dec. 24, 2018 at his home.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 29 at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Compton with Rev. Jeff Schlesinger officiating. Burial will be at the church cemetery with military rites by Mendota VFW Post 4079. Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 28 at the Merritt Funeral Home, Mendota and for one hour prior to services on Saturday at the church.

Donald was born June 6, 1927 in Compton to John and Amelia (Liebert) Schmidt. He married Velma Heinzeroth on June 27, 1954 at Zion Evangelical Church in Mendota.

Survivors include his wife of Mendota; three daughters, Nancy (David) Walzer and Karen (Sonny) Sterchi, both of Mendota and Becky (Dan) Sarver of West Brooklyn; eight grandchildren, Tera Frazer, Daniel (Tania) Walzer, Trisha Walzer, Andrew (Vicki) Walzer, Christopher (Samantha) Sarver, Chad (Brittney) Sarver, Brian Walzer and Tiffany (Bobby) Martinez; 13 loving great-grandchildren; a twin sister, Dorothy Burkart; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by a grandson, Timothy Walzer; one sister, Wilma Scott; and four brothers, Raymond, Edmund, Harold and John.

Donald served in the U.S. Army from 1945-1947 during World War II in the European Theater of Operations with the H.R. Company 1120 Engineering Corps. He farmed in Compton from 1947-1971. He was a licensed taxidermist from 1947-2006. He was a foreman at Agricultural Builders Company in Mendota, retiring in 1989 after 18 years of employment. He was a lifetime member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Compton, lifetime member of Mendota VFW Post 4079, American Legion Post 540 and a 50-year member of Mendota Elks Lodge 1212 joining in 1967. He spent his spare time hunting, fishing and mowing lawns. He enjoyed picture taking, woodworking and working with his hands. He enjoyed spending time with his family and helping others.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Immanuel Lutheran Church or Mendota Area Senior Services.