Alfonsina “Al” Schmidt (87) of Newton

Mrs. Alfonsina Q. “Al” (Sablan) Schmidt, age 87, of Newton, Illinois, passed away at 5:57 AM - Sunday, January 7, 2018, at Brookstone Estates in Charleston, Illinois.

Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10:30 AM – Thursday, January 11 at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church in Newton, Illinois, with Fr. Dean Probst celebrating mass. Burial will be in the Westlawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Newton, Illinois. Visitation will be held 4:00 – 7:00 PM Wednesday at the church and ½ hour before the mass. In loving memory of Al, memorials may be made to the St. Thomas School.

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Alfonsina Quitano Sablan better known as “Al” was born on October 30, 1930, in Agat, Guam, the daughter of Cecilio and Dolores (Quitano) Sablan. It was in Guam that she met a Marine, Delbert Leo Schmidt. Al married Delbert, the love of her life on April 24, 1954, and he preceded her in death June 22, 1994.

Al is survived by: 7 children -  Debbie (Rob) Matson of Sparta, Illinois; Alfred (Tonna) Schmidt of Dayton, Ohio; Dolores Metzger of Charleston, Illinois; Tony (Vellena) Schmidt of Newton, Illinois; Denise (Wes) Winters of Casey, Illinois; Andy (Ekco) Schmidt of Newton, Illinois; and Allan (Tammy) Schmidt of Greenville, North Carolina; 18 grandchildren -  Alison, Bryan (Heather), Lisa (Brian), Trish (Thomas), Tyler, Jordan (Mina), LoraLe (Ted), Tarcy, Jeanné, Taylor, Bobbi Jo (Darren), Jasmine, Frederick, Cecelia, Olivia, AJ, Braxton, Isaiah; 15 great grandchildren -  Haylee, Liam, Daxxon, Kason, Riley, Cameron, Ethan, Colby, Cowen, Henley, Conley, Mason Berry,  Angelina, Ryker and Adrianne; several step grandchildren and great grandchildren; brother-in-law -  Antonio Terlaje of Agat, Guam; sisters-in-law - Rowena Wagy and Florence Schmidt both of Newton, Illinois; along with numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

Al was a faithful member of St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church in Newton, Illinois. She was a devoted wife and mother always busying herself with her children, the community and church. Al worked at ER Moore in Newton as a seamstress until she retired after 26 years. She also taught at St. Thomas School for several years. Additionally, she devoted numerous volunteer hours in Jasper County 4-H; Jasper County Home Extension; Vanderhoof Community; Knights of Columbus ladies auxiliary; Altar Society; St. Thomas choir and Eucharistic minister taking communion to those in need all the while raising her seven children. Of great significance in her life, Al was a Prisoner of War and survivor of the WWII Japanese invasion and occupation of her home island of Guam. She is one of the few that survived the cave massacres and bares a physical scar as a constant reminder for the rest of her life. She appreciated this second chance at life and lived it to the fullest, bringing joy and love to everyone she met. She is most remembered for her hula dancing, baking, singing and that ever infectious smile that she passed on to her seven children. She never knew a stranger because once she talked to you, you were her friend.

Al was preceded in death by her parents, and all of her siblings, Nicholas; Antonio; Brigada “Dang”; Jaime “Meng” and Sister Tarcisia SSND.