Melvin Schmidt

Melvin K. Schmidt, 61, of Davenport, died Wednesday, September 4, 2013 at Genesis Medical Center, West Campus in Davenport.

Funeral and Masonic services will be held at 3:00 p.m., Sunday, September 8, 2013 at McGinnis-Chambers Funeral Home in Bettendorf.  Visitation will be held from 12:00 p.m. until the time of the services on Sunday at the funeral home.  Cremation rites will be accorded.  Memorials may be made to the family.

Melvin was born May 15, 1952 in Davenport, the son of Leland “Pete” & Laura (Sager) Schmidt.  Melvin graduated in May of 1971 and married the love of his life, Suzzie Hill on August 7, 1971.

Melvin drove a truck from 1977 to 2010 when he retired, having earned four million miles accident-free.  He had driven for Little Debbie and Osco Feed and Fertilizer.

He was a two-time Worshipful Master with Gentry Lodge #222 in Gentry, Arkansas and a member of Fraternal Lodge #221 in Davenport.  He was also a member of Friends of Credit Island, Davenport and the Moose Lodge for a number of years.  Melvin enjoyed fishing, though he spent most of the time baiting his grandchildren’s hooks.

Those left to honor his memory include his wife, Suzzie; his daughter and son-in-law, Sally & Don Cerra; his adopted daughters, Rebekah Berrey, Jamie Stacey and Nikky Tapley, all of Davenport; his grandson, Cameron Cerra his adopted grandchildren, Tavian Dunlap, Scarlet Berrey, Isaac Stacey, Victoria Stacey, Ayden Stacey, Cainin Tapley and Riley Tapley; his sister and brother-in-law, Lori & John Reyes of Bettendorf; his brothers, Allen (Mary) Schmidt of Virginia, John Schmidt of Portland, Tennessee and David (Mary) Schmidt of Coal Valley, Illinois; his sisters and brothers-in-law, Harold and Pat Hill of Davenport, Joann Harris of Eldridge, Jeanette and Wayne Nelson of Portland, Shirley and Dan Sager, Linda Gallo, Dan and Sandy Hill and Rick and Linda Hill, all of Davenport; his mother-in-law, June Roberts of Davenport and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Sandra Schmidt; his sisters-in-law, Gail Schmidt and June Shoemaker; his adopted granddaughter, Jaiden Tapley; his grandparents; and several aunts and uncles.