Eugene Ehme "Gene" Schmidt, 87 of Springfield, formerly of Gifford, died at 9:25 a.m. Friday, April 10, 2026, at Concordia Village, Springfield.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, April 15, 2026, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Flatville with Pastor Scott Smith officiating.  Burial will follow in Huls Cemetery, Gifford.

Visitation will be from 5:00-7:00 p.m. Tuesday, April 14, in Diers Hall, Immanuel Lutheran Church, Flatville.  Baier Family Funeral Services, Flatville is handling arrangements.

Gene was born April 8, 1939, in Champaign County the son of Ehme R. and Emma S. Ackerman Schmidt. He married Joan Woller April 23, 1960 at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Flatville.  She survives.

Along with his wife, Joan, he is survived by two daughters, Denise (Keith) Erhard of West Des Moines, Iowa, Brenda (Tony) Tuttle of Springfield; five grandchildren, Lauren (Stephen) Kerr, Alyssa (Cameron) Heathman, Emma (Davis) Allen, Austin (Christina) Tuttle, Casey (Briley) Tuttle; five great grandchildren, Reese Kerr, Raymond Kerr, Jesse Kerr, Asher Heathman, Cora Heathman; four sisters, Amy (Pat) Manwaring of Thomasboro, Ruby (Gary) Nuss of Thomasboro, Rose (Roger) Robison of Gifford, Shirley (Dave) Waters of Urbana; four brothers, Delmar (Bev) Schmidt of Gifford, David (Peggy) Schmidt of Fisher, Danny (Chelle) Schmidt of Hoopeston and Doug (Gina) Schmidt of Penfield.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Merle Schmidt.

Gene graduated from Rantoul Twp High School in 1957. He served in the Army Reserves for 4 years. Gene began a career in banking on January 2, 1958 at the Fowler State Bank in Rantoul (now the Bank of Rantoul). He attended banking school in Carbondale, Illinois and Madison, Wisconsin.  In January 1974, he moved to the Gifford State Bank where he retired in 2000 as President and CEO.

Gene was a life-long member of the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Flatville.  Throughout the years, he served on the church council, taught Sunday School, attended Men's Bible Study and visited shut-ins with Joan.

He was a member of the Gifford Lion's Club since 1974.  He also served as treasurer of the I&I Antique Tractor Club from 2001-2023 and served on the RTHS school Board in the late 70's.  Gene was an antique car enthusiast and a member of several car clubs.

Memorials may be made to Immanuel Lutheran Church, Flatville or the American Cancer Society.  Condolences and memories can be shared with the family at www.baierfuneralservices.com.