Reverend Frederick Howard Shmidt

Reverend, Frederick Howard Shmidt, 87, of Powhatan, Va. went to be with the Lord on December 22, 2025, surrounded by his family. Fred (Fritz) was born on January 26, 1938, in Flint Michigan and was the son of the late Charles Edgar and Leila Blakeslee Shmidt .In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by a son Frederick Daniel Shmidt, and a granddaughter Grace Shmidt.On April 16, 1956, Fred married Darlene Saucier, they were married for 67 years when the Lord called her home on December 4, 2023.

Freds life was changed in 1955 when he accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior. Shortly after he and Darlene began their ministry, which included pastoring in Iowa, Oregon and Michigan. In 1960, Fred and Darlene were called into full time evangelism where he started his crusades, camp meetings and prophecy conventions that led him to 23 countries. In 1975 Fred took his first trip to Israel and from there his love for the Holy Land was ignited, he then went on to host over 40 educational and prophecy tours to the Holy Land. His jewish perspective provided a unique insight into scriptures. His anointed preaching gave him a well rounded ministry.When he was in between meetings he enjoyed spending time with his family. He also loved woodworking, drawing, leather crafting and keeping up on current events related to end times and ending each day with a big bowl of Breyers ice cream. 

Fred is survived by a daughter, Ruth Ann Milby and husband, Terry of Powhatan, Va; two sons, Michael Shmidt and wife, Lessie of Norfolk, Va and Gabriel Shmidt and wife Cassie of, Va.; Nine grandchildren, Morgan Gamble and husband, JB, Caleb Milby, Natonya Simmons, Zander Shmidt, Hannah Shmidt, Isaac Shmidt, Titus Shmidt, Abigail Shmidt, Judah Shmidt; two great-grandchildren, Reuben Gamble and Ta’Maya Simons, one brother David Shmidt of Bristol, Tenn.; and one sister Diane Shmidt of Las Vegas, Nevada.

The family will receive friends 5-7 p.m., Sunday December 28, 2025, at Bennett and Barden Funeral Home 3215 Anderson Hwy, Powhatan, Va. 23139. A funeral service will be held 1 p.m., with viewing from 12:00 -1 p.m. Monday December 29, 2025 at the Elkton Pentecostal Church 16704 E. Summit Ave, Elkton, Va with Pastor Eddie Byers of Elkton Pentecostal Church officiating. Following the service, Fred will be laid to rest at Elk Run Cemetery until resurrection day when we will all be reunited once again.