Charles Kenneth "KC" Schmidt III

Charles Kenneth (KC) Schmidt III, 46, passed away peacefully in his sleep, in the arms of God, at his farm in Summerville, Pennsylvania on the beautiful, warm afternoon of Sunday, May 11, 2025.

He was born April 5, 1979, in Marietta, Ohio. During his life, he lived in parts of Ohio and West Virginia before settling in his favorite place in the world, his home, nestled within the Allegheny Mountain foothills of western Pennsylvania.

KC had retired after several years working as a police officer, corrections officer and coal miner, and enjoyed self-employment as a creator of candles as well as slate and wood engravings for his own company, Midnight Run. His hobbies included shooting, hunting, distilling, canning, and drone photography as well as spending time with his beloved pets Mason, Ellie Mae, Barley and Dash.

On September 4, 2012, he married Donna (Engle) Schmidt on the beach in Duck, Dare County, North Carolina. The love of each other’s lives, they often referred to the other as Bonnie and Clyde for the promise made before afternoon high tide of the Atlantic Ocean to be “my love for life” and the completion of the other’s heart. At the time of KC’s passing, they were nearing their 19th anniversary together.

In addition to his God, his daughter and his wife, he loved his chosen family, complete with sisters, brothers, nieces and nephews across three states. A Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32), KC prayed daily for peace for his entire circle – that which extended well beyond the binds of blood and distance.

He is survived by his wife, Donna, at home, as well as Kira Whitney Schmidt of Cleveland, Ohio; Michael Howell, John Schmidt and Mazzi Johnson, all of Ohio; parents-in-law Daniel and Peggy Engle of Punxsutawney; and grandmother-in-law Nellie Weiss, also of Punxsutawney. His surviving family also includes Whitney and Kati Spurgeon and family of Chesapeake, Va.; Kirstin Spurgeon of Newport News, Va.; Vince and Kathy Spurgeon of Parkersburg, W.Va.; Christapher McCarthy and family of Big Run; Micah Griffith of Parkersburg, W.Va.; and Tina Brown of Woodsfield, Ohio.

He was preceded in death by his father, Charles Kenneth (Kenny) Schmidt Jr. and his grandfather, Charles Kenneth (Chuck) Schmidt Sr. in 2008 and 1994, respectively. His predeceased furbabies included Otis, Nellie, Murray and Massey.

Arrangements are under the loving and caring direction of McCabe Funeral Home Inc., Punxsutawney, Pa.

Per KC’s wishes, a private celebration of life will be held at a later date, to include only his chosen family members who made efforts to hold true to his heart always.

“Teach me your way, Lord; lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors. Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes, for false witnesses rise up against me, spouting malicious accusations. I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart.” – Psalms 27:11-14.