Jackie Caswell Schmidt passed away March 23, 2016 at Mercy Hospital with family by her side. She was born on January 4, 1934 in Sand Springs, OK.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Walter and Bernice Caswell; brother, John E. Caswell; sister, Billie Rae Phipps; brother-in-law, K.L. Phipps; son, Gary Slankard; daughter, Patricia Ann Whittaker; son-in-law, Scott Whittaker. She is survived by her husband, Carl of 50 years of the home; son, Rick Slankard (Starla); daughter, Nanci Hale (Ron), both from Sand Springs, OK; and son, Denis Schmidt, of Springfield, MO; eight grandchildren, fifteen great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews, all of whom she loved dearly and her beloved dog, Ginger.

Jackie worked for Lily Tulip, Springfield Public Schools and The Drury Hotels. She loved her church family at Immaculate Conception and became Catholic in 1995. Jackie was also involved with the Parish Council of Catholic Women, Regional Councils 3 and 4 and the Diocese Council of Catholic Women and NCCW. She was appointed by Bishop James V. Johnston Jr. to National Council of Catholic Women to become the Province Director for the Province of St. Louis, Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau. She served in this position for four years. One of her greatest interests before becoming ill was Catholic Charities of Southern Missouri. She volunteered there for two years. She loved the residents, staff, also all the other volunteers. She loved gardening, watching the St. Louis Cardinals and reading. Her family and friends were her upmost concerns. We wish to thank family and friends for all the phone calls, visits, cards, food and so many thoughts and prayers; they were so appreciated.

Prayer Service will be held at Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home, 1947 E. Seminole, Springfield, MO Sunday, March 27, 2016 at 4:30 p.m. with visitation to follow. Funeral Mass will be Monday, March 28, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. in Immaculate Conception Church, 3555 S. Fremont, Springfield, MO with the Most Reverend John J. Leibrecht, Celebrant and Fr. Tom Keifer co-celebrant. Burial will follow at Greenlawn Memorial Gardens, Springfield, MO.

In lieu of flowers, donations to Immaculate Conception St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry, 3555 S. Fremont, Springfield, MO 65804 or Catholic Charities of Southern Missouri-Life House, 424 E. Monastery St., Springfield, MO 65807.