Mary Florence Schmidt, age 89, of Beth Haven Nursing Home, Hannibal, MO, formerly of Payson, IL died on Monday, July 30, 2012 in Hannibal Regional Hospital. She was born July 29, 1923 in Adams, IL, the daughter of Alvin & Anna Frances (Clark) Knuffman. She married Eugene C. Schmidt on January 17, 1942 in St. Brigid Catholic Church, Liberty, IL. He preceded her in death on May 6, 1980.

Mary Florence was a cook in the Payson, IL school system for 25 years, retiring in 1987.

Since moving to Payson, Mary Florence was a member of St. Anthony Catholic Church, prior to this she was a member of St. Brigid Catholic Church in Liberty. She was a member and past president of Payson Senior Citizens. Mary Florence liked to quilt and embroider. She greatly enjoyed her four granddaughters and nine great-grandchildren.

Survivors include her daughter, Virginia Vahle; daughter-in-law, Evelyn Schmidt Weisinger and her husband Nick, all of Payson, IL; granddaughters Angela Schmidt of Payson and friend Dan Yates, Carla (Steve) Trautvetter of Quincy, Denise (Greg) Loos of Payson and Gina (Corey) Sheurman of Griggsville, IL. 9 Great-grandchildren, Courtney and Kristen Loos, twins: Brady & Brett Loos; Lindi, Tyler and Alex Trautvetter, Dalton and Mariska Sheurman. Many nieces & nephews also survive.

In addition to her husband, Eugene, and her parents, she was preceded in death by a son Harold Schmidt, a son-in-law Maurice Vahle, brothers Everett, Harry & Lawrence Knuffman.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, August 2, 2012 at 9:45 a.m. in the Duker & Haugh Funeral Home with a mass at 10:30 a.m. in St. Anthony Catholic Church concelebrated by
Fr. Don Knuffman, Fr. Tom Hagstrom and Fr. Irenaeus Kimminau, OFM. Interment in St. Brigid Cemetery, Liberty. Visitation will be held Wednesday evening from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home with a parish prayer service at 3:30 p.m.. Memorials may be made to St. Brigid Cemetery or to St. Anthony Catholic Church. www.dukerandhaugh.com