Rev. Dr. Martin John Schmidt

The Rev. Dr. Martin John Schmidt, 89, of Eustis, FL, passed away Wednesday, November 4, 2015. He was born in Cleveland, OH, to Martin Schmidt (1899-1932) and Susanna Draser (1901-1997). He was baptized at home on 25 July 1926 by the Rev. John Foisel, of St. John's Lutheran Church, Cleveland. Martin was confirmed as an adult on September 4, 1947 at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Valley City, OH, the Rev. A. H. Herkamp, officiating. From 1936 to 1944 he lived on a farm in Litchfield, Medina County. He attended public schools in Cleveland, Lakewood, and Litchfield, OH. He attended Asbury College in Wilmore, KY, for two years and then enrolled at Concordia Seminary, Springfield, IL, where he earned his Bachelor of Divinity Degree in 1953. Martin later attended Columbia University Teacher's College, New York, NY, where he earned a Doctor of Education Degree in 1974. Martin married Gladys Jean Gerstenmaier on August 2, 1952 at Zion Lutheran Church in Bridgeport, CT, where he was serving as a vicar. They were married 55 years and were blessed with three children. Martin married Johnene Rae Bratt on March 21, 2009 in Tavares, FL. She faithfully cared for him these last years. Martin pastored and proclaimed the Gospel to God’s people in churches in Nebraska, South Dakota, New Jersey, and Massachusetts. He taught math at Concordia Prep-school and religion at Concordia Jr. College at Bronxville, NY, and homiletics at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, MO. In retirement he served several vacancy churches in Florida. Martin is survived by his second wife, Johnene Schmidt of Eustis, FL; a son, William P. (Gail) Schmidt, Umatilla, FL; a daughter, Deborah J. (Bill) Yates, North Beach, MD; a sister, Hilda Jamison, Hampstead, NC; 5 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild. Services will be held at Faith Lutheran Church, Eustis, FL, on Saturday, November 14, 2015 at 10:00 AM. Interment will be at Park Cemetery, Bridgeport, CT. Memorial donations may be made to Concordia Seminary (for student tuition support) 801 Seminary Place, St. Louis, MO 63105. Online Guestbook available at www.hardenpauli.com Arrangements by Harden/Pauli Funeral Home, Eustis.