Submitted by: Mary Jo Koran

SCHMIDTENDORFF

Cowham

Durbin

Gardineer

Knapp

Ptacek

Saidla

Smith

Sterling

SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE – July 23, 2000

Vernon F. Schmidtendorff

Oct. 2, 1931 - July 21, 2000

Vernon F. Schmidtendorff, age 68, of 53567 Lawrence Road, Marcellus, MI, passed away early Friday morning, July 21, 2000, at his residence following several weeks illness.

He was born October 2, 1931, in Penn Township, Cass County, MI, the son of Fred and Grace M. (Cowham) Schmidtendorff. On September 30, 1967, he married Suzanne D. (Gardineer) Saidla, who preceded him in death on April 4, 1997.

He lived most of his life in Volinia Township and was engaged in farming. He graduated from Dowagiac High School. He served with the U.S. Army in the 38th Infantry Division in the Korean War. He was a life member of Marcellus V.F.W. Post #4054.

Surviving are two daughters, Kathy (Bud) Durbin of Marcellus and Teresa Ptacek of Portage, MI; one stepdaughter, Kathleen (Keith) Sterling of Orlando, FL; one stepson, Timothy Saidla of FL; 11 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Maxine Knapp of Edwardsburg, MI, and Barbara Smith of Vandalia, MI. One son, Gary Schmidtendorff, and two stepsons, Jesse and Elmer Saidla, preceded him in death.

Memorial services will be held at 4:00 P.M. Tuesday, July 25, 2000, in the Mater Funeral Home, with Rev. Peggy Boltz, pastor of the Marcellus United Methodist Church, officiating. Military rites will be conducted by Marcellus V.F.W. Post #4054. Memorials may be directed to V.F.W. Post #4054 or the charity of the donor's choice. Cremation has taken place.