E. Alvin “Butch” Schmits, 93, of Seneca, KS, died on Friday, July 9, 2010 at his home, with his family at his side.

He was born September 2, 1916 on the family farm near Kelly, the sixth of nine children, to Bernard and Dora Valinda (Honeyman) Schmits. He grew up southwest of Seneca and attended Sherman School near Seneca, which concluded with his eighth grade graduation.

Alvin enlisted in the U.S. Army on April 29, 1941 and served with the 46th Engineer Construction Battalion until his honorable discharge on June 10, 1945 with the rank of Tec. Sergeant. He served in the Pacific Theater and was stationed primarily in New Guinea and the Philippines. In his later years, Alvin shared his many wartime experiences with his family. Alvin and his wife Armella attended his Army reunions regularly as long as his health permitted. He considered it one of the highlights of his life to have the opportunity to visit the WWII Memorial in Washington, DC in 2004, with his wife, his daughter Donna and his grandchildren, Rebecca and Nicholas.

On November 6, 1946, he married Armella Catherine Haug at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in St. Benedict. They lived and farmed the family farm southwest of Seneca until 1951 when they moved to their farm on the north edge of Seneca where they raised their family and lived for the past 59 years. Alvin farmed and raised cattle for his many working years.

He was a member of Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, St. Joseph’s Society, the Seneca Memorial Post #7458 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the American Legion Earl W. Taylor Post #21, all in Seneca.

Alvin was preceded in death by twin infant grandsons, Kyle and Keith Smith; four brothers, Raphael, Bernard, Peter, and Louis Schmits; and three sisters, Estella Joyce, Guilda McQuaid and Rita Schmits.

He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Armella, of the home, their six children; Larry Schmits of Shawnee, KS, Gene (Candy) Schmits of Seneca, Jane (Doug) Smith of Olathe, KS, Carol Baker of Topeka, KS, Linda (David) Stewart of Lenexa, KS and Donna (Michael) Bacon of Lenexa, KS; a brother Wilbert “Dib” Schmits of Citrus Heights, CA; 13 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren.

Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 2 PM on Monday, July 12, at Sts. Peter & Paul Church. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Rosaries will be prayed at 2 & 7 PM Sunday, July 11, at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca.

Memorials may be given in Alvin’s name to Sts. Peter & Paul Church or School, and sent in care of the family.