Cornelius Alvin Schmitt (95) of Cedar Falls, Iowa, passed away on July 21st, 2016. A public visitation will be held on July 24th, 2016, at the Dike Funeral Chapel, in Dike, Iowa, from 5:00pm until 7:00 pm. Funeral services will be held on Monday, July 25th, 2016, at the Pleasant Valley Church in Holland (Fern), Iowa, at 10:30 am. Memorial contributions can be made to the Pleasant Valley Church in Holland (Fern), Iowa. Engelkes Abels is caring for Corny and his family. For questions please visit: www.abelsfuneralhomes.com
Cornelius Alvin Schmitt was born to Samuel and Cornelia (Dieken) Schmitt on July 11th, 1921, in rural Grundy County. He was raised and educated in the area, graduating from the Dike community school district with the class of 1939. Corny continued his education at the Iowa State Teachers College in Cedar Falls, Iowa, earning his teaching certificate. Following his education, Cornelius taught in a rural schoolhouse for a year. On January 22nd, 1942, Cornelius and Johanna Josephine Meester were united in marriage in the parsonage at Pleasant Valley. Together the family made their home on a farm in rural Dike to raise their family. Cornelius then vested himself into farming. Corny also worked as a school bus driver for the Dike school district, and as a surveyor for the Department of Agriculture. Cornelius and Johanna loved Square Dancing. For 30 years, they would travel across the country attending Square Dancing conventions. Following their retirement in 1984, Corny and Johanna would travel throughout the United States as well as to Europe and Israel. The two would eventually begin spending their winters in Florida, taking long walks together. Corny was a member of the Pleasant Valley Church-where he was an Elder and taught Sunday School for over 40 years. He was also a member of the Dike Lions Club.
Left to cherish his memory is his wife; Johanna Schmitt of Cedar Falls, Iowa, children; Kenneth Dale (Joan) Schmitt of Broomfield, Colorado, Donal Craig (Cindy) Schmitt of Canton, Georgia, Keith Randall (Eileen) Schmitt of Newtown, Pennsylvania, grandchildren; Matthew (Kimberley) Schmitt, Kristen (Mathew) Easterday, Michelle Schmitt, Christopher (Erin) Schmitt, Amanda Schmitt, Stephanie (Christopher) Hall, Perry (Mary Ann) Schmitt, step-grandchildren; Alexandra (Lance) Springer, Jennifer (Bill) Kerry, 17 great-grandchildren and a sister in-law; Etta Schmitt,
In death, he rejoins his parents; Samuel and Cornelia Schmitt, siblings; Margaret Schmitt, Dieke (Ruth) Schmitt, Samuel (Etta) Schmitt , George (Matilda, Dorothy) Schmitt.