Obituary of Merle L. Schmidt, Sr.

Merle Lee Schmidt, Sr., 92, of Mount Joy, passed away on May 31, 2026, at home surrounded by his loving family. Merle was born in White Lake, SD, to his late parents, Amos E. and Mable E. (DeLaMater) Schmidt. His loving wife, Catherine M. (Stinemire) Schmidt, survives at home.

Merle was a proud U.S. veteran, serving in the United States Army. He was a brilliant man, who was able to fabricate and fix anything. His career spanned many years working as a welder for Westinghouse in the aerospace industry. One of his projects, a lunar module, is still on the moon.

He loved his family dearly and cherished any time that he was able to spend with them. He enjoyed crabbing and boating and especially enjoyed traveling throughout the U.S. with Catherine in their motorhome. His family will not only remember him as a loving and caring man, but they will also remember him as a hard worker and a capable provider.

In addition to his wife, Merle is survived by his children, Marjorie Cicala and her husband John, of Middle River, MD, Robin Yommer, of MD, Robert Schmidt and his wife Wendy, of Forest Hill, MD, Merle Lee Schmidt, Jr. and his wife Alice, of Overlea, MD, Neva Duley, of Perry Hall, MD, Sherry Ellenberger and her husband Ralph, of Mount Joy, and George E. Rye and his significant, other Cindy Wilson, of York, 14 grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren. He is also survived by a sister, Lois Campbell, of WA. In addition to his parents, Merle was predeceased by a brother, Jay Schmidt, of CA.

An inurnment service will take place on Friday, July 17, 2026, beginning at 12:30 PM at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, 60 Indiantown Gap Road, Annville, PA, with Merle Lee Schmidt, Jr., officiating.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting memorial contributions be mailed to Hospice and Community Care at Hospice and Community Care, Development Office, 685 Good Drive, Lancaster, PA 17601, or by visiting, https://www.hospiceandcommunitycare.org/in-honor-in-memory-gifts/. For more information, or to leave a condolence with the family, visit www.spencefuneralservices.com.