Hirrel L. Schmidt

Mrs. Hirrel L. Swanson Schmidt, 91, formerly of Earlville, passed away on September 19, 2009 at Heritage Manor, Mendota where she had been a resident for the past four years. She was born on May 21, 1918 at her family home in Coal Hollow in Bureau County near Princeton, Illinois to Eric W. and Alta Mae (Searl) Swanson. She married Ira A. Schmidt on June 28, 1953 and moved to the Earlville area where they were engaged in farming. Mr.Schmidt preceded her death on May 18, 1997.

Mrs. Schmidt graduated from Princeton High School in 1936 and from Illinois State University-Normal in 1940 with a teaching degree in business and taught business arts (typing, bookkeeping, shorthand) at Mendota High School for over 27 years and worked as an administrative assistant in the high school guidance counselor's office for over 13 years. She continued to work in Mendota High School's front office until retiring in 1991 after nearly 50 years of service. She was a member of the Earlville United Methodist Church. Her hobbies included gardening, knitting and crocheting, and ceramics.

She is survived by her two daughters, Anita (Ronnie Whittington) of Senoia, Georgia and Carol (Jerry McCarthy) of Helena, Montana and two granddaughters, Morgan and Madison.