Keith Leonard Schmelzle, 67, of Seneca, KS, lost his courageous fight against cancer on Saturday, April 6, 2024, at the Sabetha Community Hospital in Sabetha.

Keith was born on October 23, 1956, in Seneca, to Leonard and Thelma Meyer Schmelzle. He attended St. Bede- School in Kelly completing the 8th grade. He attended and graduated from Nemaha Valley High School with the class of 1974.

On April 25, 1992, he married Mary Jane McCoy at the United Methodist Church in Oneida. They lived on the Schmelzle home place southeast of Seneca, where the couple raised their family, farmed, and raised livestock.

Keith was employed by National-By-Products as a young man working first in the shop and later as a driver. He worked for Bob Sextro- Dairy Operation from the last 1980- until 1997. Keith was a dedicated employee for Chicago Rawhide, later known as SKF, until the factory closed in 2018. Prior to his retirement, he drove for Heinen Brothers.

Keith enjoyed farming, just as his ancestors did, on the family homestead. He found great peace and solitude fishing and hunting in his younger years. Keith took pride in raising a garden and sharing the fruits of his labor with those he loved. When not busy working on the farm he took great pleasure in water skiing, watching NASCAR races and indulging in black and white westerns, especially Gunsmoke.

Keith was a member of St. Bede- Church in Kelly and attended the Oneida Methodist Church in Oneida, and a former member of the Son- of America Legion.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Leonard on October 8, 2008, and Thelma on December 13, 2013; and a sister, Jane Schmelzle on July 22, 2019.

Survivors are his wife of 32 years, Mary Jane Schmelzle; a son, Luke (Courtney) Schmelzle of Seneca ; a daughter, Mika Schmelzle of Topeka; two sisters, Rebecca “Becky” Schmelzle of the Seneca and Diane Bach of Richfield, Minnesota; one brother, Dennis Schmelzle of Seneca; and a grandchild making their appearance in June.

A visitation and rosary will be held on Tuesday, April 9, 2024, from 6 P.M. to 8 P.M., with a rosary being prayed at 7 P.M. at the Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca. Funeral Service will be 10:30 A.M. on Wednesday April 10, 2024, at the Oneida Methodist Church in Onedia. Burial will be in the Woodlawn Cemetery, Woodlawn, Kansas.

Memorials may be left in Keith- memory to NTCT, Coins for a Cause and/or the Oneida Methodist Church in Oneida, sent in care of the family.