Gilbert James Schmelzle, 89, of Seneca, Kansas, was called home by His Loving Savior, passing from this earth on June 9, 2010 in Seneca.

Gilbert was born in the rural Westmoreland area in Pottawatomi County, Kansas on October 26, 1920, the son of Joseph Edward Schmelzle and Agnes Mary (Baumchen) Schmelzle. Gilbert was baptized at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Flush, Kansas. He graduated from Broderick Grade School in Union Township and attended high school in Flush. He lived at home until he was called to the U.S. Army on August 14, 1942. He was stationed with the 420th Port Company, receiving rifle marksman and good conduct medals. He served with honor until his discharge on February 18, 1946.

Gilbert married Mary Helen Haefele on April 12, 1947 at Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Seneca. They celebrated many wonderful anniversaries, having been blessed with 63 years of marriage before his death.

During their first nine years of marriage they started a family and farmed near Seneca and Centralia. In 1956 they moved to a farm of their own a few miles southwest of Corning. Gilbert was a lifelong farmer and operated a Grade A Dairy for many years. He said he felt that living on the farm was a good life and it had helped him live close to the Lord whom he depended on for everything.

Gilbert was a long-time member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Corning and the Knights of Columbus Council #1769. He was chosen by the pastor, Father Robert Poole, to be one of the first Eucharistic lay ministers. He served as a board member of the St. Patrick’s Church Council. He was an active member of the American Legion at Corning Post #37. Gilbert and Helen enjoyed playing cards with a card party group of special friends for over 25 years.

Gilbert and Helen retired from farming and moved to Seneca in 1997, once again becoming members of Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church. Gilbert often went to church to be present with the Lord he loved at Mass, and for many years Gilbert and Helen prayed together at an hour of Adoration each week.

Gilbert is survived by Helen, his wife of 63 years, whom he lovingly cared for, especially in these last years when she has had increasing health difficulties.

He is also survived by his five children, Mary Lou Gudenkauf and her husband Ken, of Topeka; Karen Harrington and her husband Jim, of Plano, Texas; Julie Nichol and her husband Tom, of Neodesha, Kansas; Greg Schmelzle and his wife, Debbie of Onaga, Kansas; Joan Henry and her husband, Rick of Seneca; two sisters, Mary Cooper of Tampa, Florida, and Bernadette Burns of Wichita; 13 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; four sisters, Sister Ositha Schmelzle, OSB, Sister Christine Schmelzle, OSB, Sister Suzanne Schmelzle, OSB, and Loretta Umscheid; four brothers, Herman, Cletus, Clement and Gene Schmelzle; and three grandchildren, Angela, Sean, and Richard Harrington.

Rosaries will be prayed at 2 & 7 PM Sunday, June 13, at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca. Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 1 PM Monday, June 14, at Sts. Peter & Paul Church in Seneca. Burial will be in the church cemetery.