Harold "Slim" R. Schmitz

Harold "Slim" R. Schmitz, 67, of Independence, MO, and formerly of Marysville, passed away at his home on December 9, 2009, after being diagnosed with cancer 6 weeks ago at Hays Medical Center in Hays, KS. A funeral service was held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, December 14, at St. Gregory's Catholic Church in Marysville. Father Anthony Putti officiated. A rosary service was held at 8:00 p.m., Sunday, at the church. Burial was in St. Gregory's Catholic Cemetery. Bob Welch played the organ while the church choir sang “Here I Am, Lord”, “Hosea”, “On Eagles’ Wings”, “Lead Me, Lord” and “How Great Thou Art”. The servers were nephews and nieces, Zachary Cook, Bryanna Cook, Cheyenne Seematter and Tristan Schmitz. The pallbearers were Cody Dunlap, Cory Dunlap, Jeff Schmitz, Kirk Martin, Shane Rickert, Troy Zimmerling, and Buster Schmitz. Slim was born on April 9, 1942 at Marysville, the son of Dominic "Heavy" and Alice Cecelia (Kathe) Schmitz. He attended St. Gregory's School for 8 years and graduated from Marysville High School in 1960. Slim served in the United States Air Force from 1960 until 1965. On July 26, 1964, he was united in marriage to Karen Tatkenhorst at Schilling Air Force Base in Salina, KS. They later divorced. On June 26, 2006, he married Cora Little at Independence, MO. He attended St. Mark's Catholic Church in Independence and worked as a truck driver for Duke Transport. He served as Past Commander of the American Legion in Paola, KS, Past Commander of AMVETS in Olathe, KS, and Past State Commander of Dept. of Kansas AMVETS from 1984-1985. Survivors include his wife, Cora of Independence, MO; mother, Alice Schmitz, Marysville; daughter, Shawna Dunlap and husband Rick, Natoma, KS; siblings, Gilbert Schmitz and wife Sandy, Marysville, Arleta Martin and husband Ken, Oketo, Vickie Rickert and husband Gerald, Hastings, NE, Butch Schmitz and wife Linda, Marysville, Mary Zimmerling and husband Paul, Home, Nick Schmitz and wife Linda, Beattie, Greg Schmitz and wife Sue, Hanover, Mickey Schmitz and wife Phyllis, Marysville; three grandchildren, Cody Dunlap, Hays, Cory and Callie Dunlap, both of Natoma. He was preceded in death by his father, Dominic "Heavy" Schmitz. A memorial fund has been established and will be designated at a later date. Contributions may be sent in care of Kinsley Mortuary. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Harold "Slim" R. Schmitz, please visit our flower store.