Melford J. Schmidt, age 85, 7719 North Goshen Road, Huntington, died at 1:40 p.m. Saturday (January 27, 2007) at Timbercrest Senior Living Community in North Manchester, IN.

     Mr. Schmidt retired after working 17 years for the International Harvester in Ft. Wayne, and was a lifetime Clear Creek Township Farmer in Huntington County. He was a member of the Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Ft. Wayne and a graduate of New Haven High School.  A veteran of the United States Army Air Force, he served during the Asiatic Pacific Theater as a sergeant during WW II.

     Melford was born on June 7, 1921, in Allen County, the son of Arthur and Johanna Brown Schmidt. He married Adele C. Fuelling on January 1, 1944 in Ft. Wayne.

     Survivors include his wife of 63 years – Adele C. Schmidt of Huntington; two sons – M. Thomas (Bonnie) Schmidt of Culver, IN and Jacob A. (Dawn) Schmidt of Columbia City, IN; one daughter – Myra J. Schmidt of Columbia City, IN and five grandchildren.  A brother, Arthur Schmidt, preceded him in death.

     Visitation will be 3 - 7 p.m. Tuesday (January 30, 2007) at the Bailey-Love Mortuary.  Funeral services will be at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday (January 31, 2007) at Emmanuel Lutheran Church, 917 West Jefferson Blvd., Ft. Wayne, IN, with 1 hour of visitation prior to the service.  Rev. Thomas Eggold will be officiating.  Burial will be in the Clear Creek Cemetery, Huntington County, IN.

     Memorial contributions may be made to the Emmanuel Lutheran Church in care of the Bailey-Love Mortuary 35 W. Park Drive, Huntington, IN., 46750.