Herbert Otto Schmidt "Herb"

Herb passed away Thursday, December 13, 2018 at Bay City Comfort Care at the age of 99 years, a few weeks away from his 100th birthday. He was born on January 2, 1919 in Frankenlust Township to the late George and Minnie (Schwab) Schmidt. He was a life-long member of St. Paul Lutheran Church of Frankenlust. He married the former Helen P. Bierlein on July 7, 1945 and she preceded him in death. Herb was a major voice for Michigan farm radio for many years with local radio stations WBCM and WXOX and was an award-winning broadcaster. He was also the voice of agriculture for Mid-Michigan and Bay County President of the Farm Bureau. He enjoyed raising water fowl, exotic birds, peacocks, guinea hens and was the first to introduce Dewlap Toulouse Geese in Michigan. Herb could duplicate many bird calls. He was also active in field trips for kids to his farm, working to improve farm and city relations, hosted several overseas farm tours, community leader in FFA, Bay Area Division on Aging, Bay County Fair Board, LFA and Good Friday Crosswalk. Herb was known for calling square dances and playing his tuba in the Saginaw Eddy Band, Frankentrost Band and Fritz's Little German Band. In his spare time he enjoyed photography, taking pictures at many occasions and community happenings and developed his own pictures. He also played semi-pro baseball for the Monitor Coal Team.
Herb is survived by his children, Naomi (Rev. Robert) Low, Tom (Lydia), Randy (Marilyn), Corleen (Rev. Paul) Moldenhauer, Peter (Rita) and Paul (Wendy); twenty two grandchildren; twenty seven great grandchildren; sister, Stella Peoples. Herb was preceded in death by his wife, parents, son Duane, and siblings, Gertrude, Alvin, Emil, Hattie and Adolph.
Funeral service will take place on Sunday, December 30, 2018 at 1:00 p.m. at St. Paul Lutheran Church of Frankenlust with committal following in the church cemetery. Officiating will be Pastor Dennis W. Matyas. Friends may visit with the family at the Gephart Funeral Home on Saturday, December 29, 2018 from 2:00 to 8:00 p.m. Mr. Schmidt will be taken to the church to lie in state on Sunday from 12:00 noon until the time of the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to St. Paul Lutheran Church. For online condolences www.GephartFuneralHome.com