Former Bluffton resident, John A. Schmidt, 86, Los Gatos, Calif., died Sunday, Dec. 4, 2011. He was born June 14, 1925 in Reinfeld, Russia, to Abram and Anna Weibe Schmidt who proceeded him death.

He married Elva Pickett Jan. 6, 1946, and she preceeded him in death on Sept. 27, 2011. They were married 65 years.

John graduated from Bluffton High School in 1943 and after further
studies, made his career with IBM in San Jose, Calif. In his retirement years he enjoyed woodworking and helped plan for his high school class reunions.

Survivors include two daughters, Nancy Cutforth, San Jose, Calif.,
Susan (Terry) Finnegan, Sacarmento, Calif., two grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

Also surviving is a sister, Mary (Fred) Amstutz of Bluffton. John was preceded in death by three brothers, Abram, Peter, Neil and one
sister Alice Sommer.