Charles "Abe" Schmidt (83) of Altamont

Charles “Abe” Schmidt 83 years old, of Altamont, Illinois went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ peacefully on Sunday morning March 26, 2023, at 2:35 AM at the Lutheran Care Center, Altamont Illinois, after being a patient for short time and after a few years of a lingering illness.

Funeral Services will be held at 5:00 pm on Friday March 31, 2023, at the Kull Funeral Chapel, Altamont, Illinois, with the Rev. Marcus Manley of the Bethlehem Lutheran Church officiating. A visitation will be held for family and friends from 3:00 pm until the time of the funeral service at 5:00 pm. The VFW Post #7676 and the US Navy will provide Christian burial rites and the burial will follow later.

Charles Adolph Schmidt was born into the Christian family of Adolph and Esther Eberhard Schmidt on December 4, 1939, at the St. Anthony Hospital in Effingham, Illinois. He attended the Bethlehem grade school and confirmed his faith in Bethlehem Lutheran Church. He furthered his education and graduated with Altamont Community High School with the class of 1958. 

He proudly served his country by serving in the US Navy, enlisting June 10, 1958, serving aboard the USS Yorktown and received his honorable discharge on June 11, 1962. After his discharge he continued to live for several years before moving back to Mound Township near Altamont. He was self employed primarily as a painter and finisher of woodwork for existing homes and new homes being built. Chuck was well noted for providing his time not only for Altamont but surrounding communities for events and parades where he would portray very efficiently Abraham Lincoln.

A few things he enjoyed in his spare time were Flea markets, animal swap meets, raising pigeons and chickens, and a collector of antiques. He also was a supporter and a fan of basketball and other athletic contests, mostly at the high school level. He was also a member of the Altamont Masonic Lodge #533.

He is survived by his 3-Sons: Charles Schmidt of California, Steve Schmidt of Bellville, Illinois, and Erich Charles Schmidt of Cartersville, Georgia. 1-Step son Travis (wife Kelly) Stone of Altamont, Illinois.

2-Daughters: Ronda (husband Glen) Placecia of San Jaciato, California, and Shawna Guilfoyle of Pryor, Oklahoma. Stepdaughter, Amada Pranther of Vandalia. 2-Sisters: Lorene (husband Allen) Schultz and Dorothy (husband, John) Verdeyen both of Altamont, Illinois. Brother-in-law: Alvin Spilker of Altamont, Illinois.

Charlie was preceded by his parents, daughter Dawn Michelle Schmidt, sister Irene Esther Spilker, and lifelong companion Nancy Elaine Verdeyen-Stone.

Memorial can be directed to the choice of the donor.

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