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Peig Schmitz chose to be a Calhouner when she and
her husband Cliff returned to the county in 1998 to live out their
lives. She passed from her earthly life on Wednesday, July 21, 2010, but
her work and influence will be long remembered. She worked with
enthusiasm and a cheerful attitude to make her neighborhood, town, and
county a better place.
She was a good friend in her hilltop neighborhood,
walking her dog, checking on residents, and joining in the activities
there.
Heartwood in the Hills had a special part in her
life. She was in exercise class until the last few months, and amazed
her classmates with her persistence. When new members joined the class,
they always received a warm welcome from Peig. She was also an exercise
partner in former years when we would go to the Senior Citizens Center.
Family Resource Network benefited from her
interest. She was passionate about helping children and their parents to
have more opportunities and a better life.
She was a spiritual leader, helping younger
ministers become more knowledgeable in the demands of a rural ministry.
Peig was a tireless member of Calhoun Historical
Society. She was secretary for several years, made pepperoni rolls,
helped with cleaning at the Family History Center and at Heritage
Village, and worked on crafts to sell. Her latest duties were
documenting information and serving as Granny at the Stemple Cabin for
the first graders’ tour of the Village. This was done in the last two
months.
A memory for the Morris family was when Peig and
Cliff came for our Christmas Eve service in the barn. Carols were sung,
and while Peig told the Christmas story, a small granddaughter and her
uncle pantomimed the Christmas night in the stable, assisted by the
doll, Bitty Baby, portraying Baby Jesus. The pageant ended in laughter
as a horse tried to eat Baby Jesus’ hair! Even though it was very cold,
our gracious guests stayed for cocoa and gingerbread cookies.
Calhouners will miss Peig and the many ways she has
enriched our lives. She never said, “I am too old or ache too much to
help with a project.” Let her example remind us to help continue the
work for her beloved Calhoun County.
Her memorial service will be held on Saturday, Aug.
7, noon, at Pleasant Hill United Methodist Church, with Pastor Richard
C. Metheney and Pastor Jerry N. Malona conducting the service. A dinner
will follow at the church.
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