Harold LeRoy Schmoeckel

Malta - Harold LeRoy Schmoeckel, 93, Farmer, passed away at his home with family by his side April 6, 2018.

Visitation was Monday, April 9, at Kirkwood Memorial Chapel. Funeral services were Tuesday, April 10, at Malta Lutheran Church with Interment following at the Malta Cemetery. Condolences for the family may be left at http://www.kirkwoodfuneralhome.com.

Harold was born October 24, 1924, on the family farm, to August and Mathilda (Kalinke) Schmoeckel, 35 miles south of Malta, then called Brookside Community. As a young man just out of eighth grade, he went to work for the Matador Ranch until the spring of 1947. He then worked in the mines, later leaving for Oregon to work in a sawmill until they closed up. Harold then came back to Montana and went to work at the Ruby Gulch Mining Co. In 1950, he moved back to Malta and married Ethel (Nelson) O'Brien. Harold worked for Equity Co-op for seven years then worked for Henry Hanson as a carpenter. During this time he built his own house and also one for his folks. He did it all after work, doing all the work by himself, including the plumbing and wiring, all while also having a saw-filing business on the side. There wasn't much of anything that Harold couldn't do.

He enjoyed farming, T.V, western music, coffee with his coffee buddies and especially dancing at the monthly VFW Jam sessions. You couldn't find a better man than Harold, "friendly, good, kind and honest" (to quote his wife) he was next to God. When his father passed away, he quit carpentry to take over the family farm, where he was known for his large gardens and flowers. When Ethel became disabled, he had to take over being nurse, cook and house-keeper along with his farming. About that time his son Vince joined him in farming. Harold and Ethel, members of Unity Lutheran Church were happily married for 65 years.

In death beside his parents: three sisters, Mabel Horn, Myrtle Horan and Verna Hillier, Sons-in-law Bruce Brown and Marvin Jones both of Malta.

Survivors include Son, Vincent (Carolyn) Schmoeckel, two Daughters, Shirley Jones & Linda Brown all of Malta, numerous Grand-children, Great-Grand-children and Great-Great-Grand-children.