Submitted by: Dan Rich

Patricia Ann Schmidkunz

Feb. 1, 1960 – Oct. 12, 2004

Michigan City News Dispatch 10/15/2004

MILL CREEK - Patricia Ann "Patty" Schmidkunz, 44, Mill Creek, died Tuesday (Oct. 12, 2004) in St. Joseph Medical Center, South Bend, Ind.

A memorial service will be at 1 p.m. Sunday at the Sauktown Church of Christ, Mill Creek, with the Rev. Howard Simmons officiating. Burial of the ashes will be in the Sauktown Cemetery at a later date. Visitation will be from 2 to 8 p.m. Friday at the Haverstock Funeral Home, LaPorte.

Mrs. Schmidkunz was born Feb. 1, 1960, in LaPorte to Shirley (Olson) and Camiel Doms. Her father preceded her in death. Her mother survives in Mill Creek.

On Oct. 27, 1979, in St. Anthony Catholic Church in Fish Lake, Ind., she married Melvin R. Schmidkunz, who survives in Mill Creek.

Survivors also include her father-in-law and mother-in-law, Alden and Mary Schmidkunz, LaPorte; two brothers-in-law, Robert (Brenda) Schmidkunz, LaPorte, and Willard (Jennifer) Schmidkunz, Buchanan, Mich.; uncles and aunts, Roland (Shirley) Olson, Catherine Olson and Joseph (Jean) Doms, all of Mill Creek, Victor (Leona) Doms, New Carlisle, Mary Vantine, North Liberty, Ind., and Alice (Bob) Goethals, LaPorte; one niece, Morgan Schmidkunz; one nephew, Devon Schmidkunz; cousins, Steve Olson, Eva Marie Olson, Marge Peters, Charles Goethals, Judy (Erv) Jourdan, Richard (Donna) Goethals, Robert (Shelly) Goethals, Marialice Goethals, Carolyn Jo (Bob) Hluchan, Connie (Tim) Ransom, Greg Doms, Eric (Anna) Doms, and Leann Doms; step-cousins, Donna (Ed) Wilken, Gail (Lynn) Flora, Tara (Kerry) Heisler, and Linda Holbrook.

Also preceding Mrs. Schmidkunz in death were her grandparents, Guy and Eva Olson and Francis and Bertha Doms; one uncle, Melvin Olson; and two cousins, Robert and Roland Ray Olson.

Mrs. Schmidkunz was a member of the Sauktown Church of Christ of Mill Creek. She was president of Joyful Encouragers of Sauktown Church of Christ and organized the monthly fellowship dinners at the church. She was the 2003 director of Vacation Bible School. She worked at the Whirlpool cafeteria for 23 years in various positions. Mrs. Schmidkunz also belonged to the Wills Township Farm Bureau, the LaPorte Area Women's Democratic Club, Gleaners, and the Wills Township Home Extension Club. She was a 1979 graduate of New Prairie High School.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Sauktown Church of Christ, 8500 E. County Road 150 North, Mill Creek, IN or to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. (nf)