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Visitation:
Friday, April 10, 2026, from 4 - 7 p.m. at Open Arms
Church.
Service:
Saturday, April 11, 2026, at 11 a.m. at the church.
Funeral home:
Fricke-Calvert-Schrader, Lincoln
Obituary
Lincoln - Gary Schmidt, 77, of
Lincoln, IL, passed away on Sunday, March 29, 2026,
at his home, surrounded by loved ones.
Gary was born on June 23, 1948, in Lincoln. The son
of Julian and Lois (Garton) Schmidt. He married
Kathy Prather on August 24, 1969.
Gary is survived by his wife, Kathy; children, Jason
(Casie) Schmidt, Adam (Alyssa) Schmidt, Anna
(Rodney) Laubenstein, Jordan (Savannah) Schmidt;
Julia Carlton, German exchange daughter;
grandchildren, Kassandra Staffeldt, Caleb (Sarah)
Wieber, Conner (Emma) Schmidt, Hunter (Kaylin)
Wieber, Emerie (Cole) Dowson, Kade Schmidt, Andrew (Karis)
Schmidt, Ashley Schmidt, Alex Schmidt, Lanae (Blake)
Byrge, Chloe Laubenstein, Brynley Laubenstein,
Stella Schmidt, Jackson Schmidt, and Sawyer Schmidt;
great-grandchildren, Londyn Staffeldt, Isla
Staffeldt, Benjamin Staffeldt, Gianna Wieber, Emmett
Wieber, Isaiah Schmidt, Ayah Schmidt, Lillian
Schmidt, Roman Wieber, Addison Dowson, John Dowson,
Molly Dowson, Maverick Schmidt, Monroe Schmidt, and
Presley Byrge; and his brothers, J. Gene (Pat)
Schmidt and Keith Schmidt.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Julian
(Lois) Schmidt and infant sister, Nancy Schmidt.
Gary lived a life defined by faith, generosity, and
a deep love for people. A devoted husband, father,
grandfather, great-grandfather, pastor, and friend,
he spent his life serving others and pointing them
toward hope. Gary had a gift for connecting with
people from every walk of life, and his warmth,
humor, and genuine interest in others made everyone
feel welcome in his presence. While Gary loved many
people well, nothing brought him greater joy than
his family. His children, grandchildren, and
great-grandchildren were the light of his life, and
he treasured every moment spent with them.
Gary shared a remarkable love story with his wife,
Kathy. They met when Gary was 19 and Kathy was 16,
and over 56 years of marriage their love and
devotion to one another only deepened. Together they
built a life centered on faith, family, and caring
for others.
Gary graduated in 1971 with a teaching degree from
the University of Illinois. He then taught school in
Carthage, Illinois, where he and Kathy only lived
for two years and developed lifelong friendships to
this day.
Gary returned to Mt. Pulaski where he farmed a large
hog and grain operation alongside his father Julian
and his son, Jason. After many years of farming, he
left full-time farming and became a youth minister
at his church where he felt called by God to
minister to the young people and helped lead the
church in many different roles. His greatest love
was encouraging youth and helping them through their
struggles and hardships.
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During those years, he and Kathy
opened their home to numerous youth who had needs
and some stayed for years. Often, he would give them
jobs on the family farm at the same time. Gary gave
his time and his love to the many and he was always
one who touched their lives with wisdom and love.
Along with the pastoring in the church and raising
his four children, Gary made mission trips across
the world. Ten mission trips to all over Russia,
three trips to teach at the Christ for the Nations
Bible School in Gdynia, Poland, and several mission
trips to Mexico.
Later in life, Gary pastored at Living Hope
Fellowship in Hackensack, N.J. for eight years. He
flourished as a Pastor and the church grew and
became a family for those from all over the world
who had come to America, away from their countries.
What a joy Gary had “fathering” the flock and
bringing them the truth of the word of God in the
love of God.
Gary returned to Illinois in 2012 to his children
and grandchildren to enjoy them again. Gary became a
licensed Assembly of God Pastor and ministered
alongside Pastor Darren and Kami Palmer at Faith
Church. In addition, during this time, Gary started
a Chi Alpha ministry at Lincoln College. He and
Kathy ministered there weekly for four years to the
young college students who came for worship, prayer,
and teaching. God did a mighty work in those young
college students. The last couple of years of his
life, he spent working with special needs students
at the Lincoln Community High School. Gary lit up
when he saw the students and his fellow coworkers.
He definitely had a heart for young people.
While Gary’s accomplishments were many, his greatest
legacy was the way he cared for others. He never met
a stranger and had a remarkable ability to make
everyone feel seen, heard, and valued. In his final
days, hearing from friends and loved ones around the
world—each sharing stories of how he had impacted
and changed their lives—brought him great comfort
and healing.
Gary’s life was a testament to faith in action.
Through his ministry, his missions, his work with
young people, and the countless personal
relationships he built, he leaves behind a legacy of
love, encouragement, and unwavering faith. His
family and the many lives he touched will carry his
example forward, remembering always the kindness,
wisdom, and joy he shared so freely.
Funeral services for Gary will be held at 10:00 am,
on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at Open Arms Church in
Lincoln, IL. Visitation will take place the night
prior, Friday, April 10, 2026, from 4:00 - 7:00 pm,
also at Open Arms Church. Burial will follow the
service at Mt. Pulaski Cemetery. Memorials may be
made in Gary’s name to Faith Lutheran Church.
Arrangements have been entrusted to
Fricke-Calvert-Schrader Funeral Home in Lincoln.
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