Claude Schmille 1933-2025
Claude Schmille, 91, Hiawatha, died Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025.
He was born Dec. 29, 1933, in Wathena, the son of Carl and Eathel Farmer Schmille. He graduated from Wathena High School and earned his associate degree at Highland Community College.
Mr. Schmille served two years with the U.S. Navy Reserve aboard the USS Dogfish submarine. He later worked for 45 years with AT&T, relocating to Wichita and later to Fairview and Hiawatha, and after retiring worked for 10 years as a school bus driver.
He was active in the Assembly of God Church.
He married Dianne Hughes. They divorced; she later preceded him in death. He later married Karla Needles. She preceded him in death. He married Naomi Kay Schmille in 1995. She died in 2024.
He was also preceded in death by four siblings, Geneve Ashworth, Roselle Slaughter, Charles Schmille and Henry Schmille; two children, Terry Schmille, Melissa Boyer; and two stepchildren, Robert Gerdes and Paul Ingram.
Survivors include a brother, Kenneth Schmille and wife Bette; two daughters, Kristen O’Meara and husband Shon and Amanda Varnell and husband Johnny; two sons, Michael Schmille and Ben Schmille and wife Shannon; stepchildren, Brook Pace and Philip Ingram and wife Holly; 18 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and nieces and nephews.
A celebration of life service will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 30 at Calvary Temple Assembly of God in Hiawatha, with Pastor Jim Farris officiating. Private family inurnment will be held at a later date in Mount Hope Cemetery in Hiawatha.
Memorial contributions may be made to Calvary Temple Assembly of God, sent in care of Chapel Oaks Funeral Home, 124 S. Seventh St., Hiawatha, KS 66434.
