Dale H. Schmid

Dale Schmid, 96, of Shelby, passed away Sunday, January 21, 2024 at his home near Shelby.

In lieu of flowers, plants, and statues, memorials may be directed: In care of family.

A funeral service will be held on Monday, January 29, 2024 at 10:30 a.m. at United Methodist Church in Shelby. Visitation will be Sunday from 4 until 6 p.m. at Chermok Funeral Home in David City. Visitation will continue Monday starting at 10 a.m. Burial will be at the David City Cemetery at 12 p.m. Lunch will follow burial at Winfield's in David City at 12:30 p.m. Chermok Funeral Home is handling arrangements for Dale's family.

Dale Henry Schmid, was a firecracker baby, born on July 4, 1927 in Shelby NE to George and Viola Schmid. Two older brothers awaited him at home, Robert and Lawrence. Dale went home to be with the Lord from his beloved farm home, on Sunday January 21, 2024 at the age of 96 years, 6 months and 17 days.

He spent his early childhood around the Duncan and Columbus, Ne area. He often spoke of at age11, he and his brothers would catch frogs and sell them to the Adams Cafe in Columbus for an entree, always mentioning with a twinkle in his eye how the frog legs would “jump” in the pan. Dale attended a country school close to the Duncan Lakes, and loved throwing rocks into the lake and diving 15-20 ft to retrieve them. He graduated the 8th grade and at age 13, he bought his first shot gun and moved up to his Grandfather Schmid's farm by Shelby and started farming by himself, a boy of 13.

When he was 14, he and his brothers picked corn on Hwy 92 for 10 cents a bushel, $10 a day. Dale was a self taught man, learning to weld on the farm and later working at Behlens Manufacturing in Columbus and joining the Navy Air Reserve. He was a welder for 4 yrs until 1954, working on air planes during the Korean War. He also was an aircraft mechanic in Lincoln, and earned his Class A Welding Certificate. Later on he also worked as a soil mover, and farmed with his father George.

It was at this time, (1950 to be exact,) everything in Dale’s life changed for the better. He was roller skating at a rink in Columbus, when he saw her. He walked up to her, smiling of course, and said, “may I buy you a hamburger?”. To which she retorted, “I don’t even know you!” And the rest is history, two years later they were married on January 25, 1952. To say she was the love of his life would be an understatement, for Dale’s smile was always brightest when he was looking at Sandy. To this blessed marriage 5 children were born, Gary, Dan, Rebecca, Doug, and Ron. The family loved to go boating, camping, and following Dad to watch him play baseball for Rising City and Shelby. He dearly loved baseball, playing on the town teams. Later, with his first grandson Shon, playing catch every time he visited. One of his favorite stories of baseball was his last time at bat, a young “whippersnapper” with a live arm and a good fastball threw him a “heater”. And in Dale’s own words, the ball went out faster than when it came in, a home run resulted and Dale decided it was a good time to quit. He watched the KC Royals play almost every game in the last years, never giving up his love for the game.

In 1967 Dale bought the John Deere store in David City with his dad, and two brothers, which brought about the name of the store, RLD. They were in business 26 yrs. One of his great loves was talking to customers and even last year at 95, he could tell you every JD tractor that he sold, and the year it came out. Dale and Sandy traveled extensively with John Deere and Hesston going to Hawaii several times, also Bermuda, Italy, Germany, and many other wonderful places. One of Dale’s biggest joys of owning the store was to be able to travel with Sandy, to so many different places. Later on in life they would travel every winter to Fountain Hills AZ, where they gathered with friends and golfed.

In 1970 they bought their farm where Dale would live out the rest of his life, just as he wished. In 2012 his loving wife lost her battle with cancer. Dale’s love for Sandy was a deep, beautiful love, that never waned until her last breath. Dale later was joined by his faithful beloved little companion Toto number 2, they were inseparable. Toto loved to go everywhere with Dale, especially the golf course. Dale lived a beautiful full life, even with A-Fib. He acquired a passion for golf later in life. He and Sandy had taken up golf and never looked back. Dale played league golf with son Ron until last year. Dale had five hole’s in one to his credit, but in typical fashion just had a big smile when you brought it up. Dale was a humble, beautiful human being, who never complained and always greeted you with that unforgettable smile. He was a gentle, kind hearted man, that will be missed but never forgotten.

Dale is survived by his children: Gary of Lincoln, daughter-in-law Deb Schmid of Duncan, Dan (Fran) of Dwight, Rebecca (Bill) Richards of Geneva, Doug (Pam) of David City, and Ron (Kay) of David City, 15 grandchildren, 30 great grandchildren with a little girl on the way.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 60 years, parents, brothers, and son-in-law Mark Hopwood.