Albert J. Schmits, Jr., 88, of Seneca, KS, died Friday, April 6, 2001, at the Nemaha Valley Community Hospital in Seneca. He was transferred there from Country View Estates care home in Seneca where he had been a resident for three years.

He was born February 13, 1913, on a farm southwest of Seneca, the son of Albert and Mary Burdick Schmits, Sr. He attended the Sherman School District #89 southwest of Seneca. Albert farmed southwest of Seneca until he entered the U.S. Army on August 2, 1942. As a member of the 348th Engineering Combat Battalion, he landed at Normandy as part of the Allied invasion. He served in Germany until the end of World War II and was discharged in 1945. After returning home, he was a farmer and a stockman southwest of Centralia. In 1992 he moved to Seneca where he lived until his health required nursing home care.

He was a member of Sts. Peter & Paul Church and the St. Joseph Society at the church in Seneca, and the Armstrong-Moyer Post #219 of the American Legion in Centralia. Albert enjoyed fishing and playing cards. He liked dogs and cats.

Survivors are a brother, Leonard Schmits of Seneca; and a sister, Rose M. Macke of Eugene, OR.

Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by three brothers, Norbert, Francis, and Regis Schmits; and two sisters, Leona Schmits and Mary Keegan.

Mass of Christian burial will be 10:30 AM Monday at Sts. Peter & Paul Church in Seneca. Burial will be in the church cemetery. A prayer service will be held at 2 PM Sunday, with a rosary at 7 PM Sunday at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca.

Memorials may be given for Sts. Peter & Paul Church or the Knights of Columbus, and sent in care of the family.