Gaylord "Squeak" Schmitz

Merna, Nebraska- Gaylord “Squeak” Schmitz age 72 of Merna died Saturday June 25, 2011 at the Jennie Melham Medical Center in Broken Bow. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday June 29, 2011 at 11:00 AM in St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Broken Bow with Father Jim Hunt officiating. Burial will military honors will be in the Dale Catholic Cemetery near Merna, NE. Visitation will be held on Tuesday June 28, 2011 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM at Govier Bros. Mortuary. A wake service will be held Tuesday evening at 7:00 PM at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. Memorials are suggested to the Merna Fire and Rescue or the American Parkinson’s Disease Association. Gaylord “Squeak” Schmitz was born on December 16, 1938 at Oconto, NE to Frank J. and Irene E. (Barrett) Schmitz. In 1950, the family moved to Merna and Gaylord attended high school at Merna. In 1961, he enlisted in the United States Army. After his service he returned to Merna to farm and ranch on the “Ponderosa”. Gaylord was married to Sandra Price. To this union his children Teresa, Mitchell, Bradley, Blaine and Tedd were born. He was later married to Sharon Dutton. Gaylord enjoyed visiting with people. He liked camping, fishing, dancing and watching Karaoke. Survivors include his children Teresa Schmitz Wells and husband Chip of Rutherford College, NC, Mitchell Todd Schmitz and his wife Sylvia of Fremont, Bradley William Schmitz and friend Amber Petersen of Merna, Blaine Michael Schmitz of Jasper, GA, Tedd Schmitz and wife Christina of Broken Bow, thirteen grandchildren, and four great grandchildren. He is also survived by his brothers Paul Schmitz and wife June of Hyattsville, MD, Bob Schmitz of Merna, NE, sisters Agnes Meyerring and husband Gary of Neola, IA, Catherine Schmitz of Denver, CO, and Ann Finnefrock and husband Byron of Denver, CO, and a sister in law Margie Schmitz of Kearney. He was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Mary Schmitz and Yvonne Herman and a brother Francis Schmitz.