Coral Gay Schmitt passed away Wednesday, Aug. 9. She was just 23 days short of her 87th birthday.

Schmitt was born at home to Hiram Jackson and Viola Estella (Hensley) Brown on Sept. 1, 1930, in Pleasant Valley, Kansas, 10 miles north of Bucklin. She was ninth of 13 brothers and sisters. She graduated from Bucklin High School. On July 7, 1948, she married Harold J. Schmitt in Kinsley, Kansas, and they honeymooned on their way to moving to Ontario, where they lived the rest of their lives. Harold and Coral had seven children, Harold (Neb), Kenneth, Teresa, Duane, Vernon, Charles and Gary. Coral’s children were her reason for living, and she loved them all tremendously.

Schmitt is survived by her sister Joyce; brother George (Billy); her children Neb (Linda), Ken (Tammy), Teresa, Duane, Vern (Rindy) and Gary (Doris); 14 grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by 10 of her siblings; son Charles; and husband, Harold. She is also survived by the caring, loving and devoted nurses and staff at Blue Mountain Care Center in Prairie City.

Visitation will be from 5-8 p.m. Monday, Aug. 21, at Lienkaemper Chapel in Ontario with graveside services at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 22, at Sunset Cemetery in Ontario. Condolences may be sent to the family at lienkaemper-thomason.com.