Calvin Lavern Schmeltekopf
Calvin Lavern Schmeltekopf
Calvin Lavern Schmeltekopf passed away in Kyle, Texas on Dec. 14, 2018 at the age of 93. He was born on Jan. 17, 1925 to parents Henry and Annie Schmeltekopf at their home just outside of Kyle.
Calvin attended Hemphill School in rural Hays county before attending Kyle Elementary and Kyle High School where he graduated on May 7, 1943. At Kyle Elementary he lettered in junior track and field and baseball. At Kyle High School Calvin lettered in basketball. He enjoyed raising a steer for his 4H project.
On Nov. 19, 1943 he enlisted as an Apprentice Seaman in the US Coast Guard at Fort Sam Houston, Texas. He went to St. Augustine Florida for boot camp training, and then to the Coast Guard training station in Atlantic City, New Jersey. He graduated from radio school on Nov. 4, 1944. He was an original crew member of the USS Orlando, patrol frigate, which left Galveston, TX on Nov. 17, 1944 and did convoy duty in the Atlantic escorting ships to the Mediterranean Sea. Later they were transferred to the Pacific and traveled through the Panama Canal. He served on the USS Orlando until May 22, 1946 and was honorably discharged on May 27, 1946.
Calvin married Peggy Robinson of Gonzales, Texas on June 1, 1949. They lived near Martindale where Peggy served as Postmaster for many years. Calvin was a member of the First United Methodist Church of San Marcos. He served as Service Manager for Red Simon Ford for over 30 years where he made many friends in the community of San Marcos. Farming and ranching were always a part of his life. He shared his love of the land with his family.
Calvin was preceded in death by his parents Henry and Annie Schmeltekopf, his brother Lawrence Schmeltekopf of Kyle, his sister Dorine Losh of Kyle and his sister Florine Welch of Sabine Pass. He is survived by his wife, Peggy Schmeltekopf of San Marcos, daughter, Diana Jones and husband Robert Jones of Cedar Creek, son, Clay Schmeltekopf and wife Diane Schmeltekopf of Kyle; sister, Juliann Magdalena and husband Joe Magdalena of Harlingen; granddaughter, Casey Jones of Waring, and grandsons Randy Schmeltekopf of Austin and Kyle Jones of Kyle; great- grandson, Carter Schmeltekopf of Austin; and numerous nieces and nephews and cousins.
Family will receive friends at Pennington Funeral Home at 12 p.m., followed by a celebration of Calvin’s life in the Pennington Memorial Chapel, at 1 p.m. Monday, Dec. 17, 2018, with Rev. Michael Bartley officiating. Interment to follow at Memory Lawn Memorial Park in Martindale, Texas.
Family extends their special thanks to the staff at Legend Oaks in Kyle and Heart to Heart Hospice.
Contributions in Calvin’s memory may be made to Shriners Hospitals for Children.
Arrangements by Pennington Funeral Home, San Marcos, Texas, 512-353-4311.
