Neal Raymond Schmidtberger, 70, of Hutchinson, died June 28, 2024, at his home, with his family by his side. He was born May 30, 1954, in Hays, to Alvin R. and Martina R. (Dreher) Schmidtberger of Victoria.
Neal graduated from Victoria High School in 1972. He worked for more than 40 years as a grocery manager, starting with Safeway and then for Dillons, working in all 5 Hutchinson stores. Neal was an all-around handyman who loved doing for others. He loved playing the guitar and singing at various functions and even wrote some songs. Neal was also known for his whistling everywhere he went. He was a member of Eastwood Church of Christ, Lions Club of Russell, and volunteered on the Food Bank of Reno County board for 20 years.
On October 7, 1977, Neal married Patricia Ann Childs, in Hutchinson. She survives.
Also surviving are: his daughters, Audra Gray and husband Randall of Hutchinson, Jennifer Stringfellow and husband Russ of Hutchinson; grandchildren, Jordan and Yelmy Gray, Emily Winkler, Britney Winkler, Sophia Gray, all of Hutchinson, Ellissa and Dylan Becker of Kansas City, Trevor Stringfellow of Hutchinson; siblings, Galen Schmidtberger of Russell, Wayne and Patty Schmidtberger of California, Jim Schmidtberger of Russell, Joe and Debbie Schmidtberger of Lawrence, Brenda Yoder of Russell, Pam and Bill Gasper of Hays, Myra and Tom Meder of Pfeifer, Glenn and Elsa Schmidtberger of California; mother-in-law, Alice Childs of Hutchinson; brothers-in-law, David Childs of California, Galen and Cindy Childs of Abbyville, Craig and Carla Childs of Abbyville; and many extended family members.
He was preceded in death by: his parents; father-in-law, Robert D. Childs; and brothers-in-law, Rocky Yoder and Mark Childs.
Funeral service will be 11 a.m. Friday, July 5, 2024 at Eastwood Church of Christ, 2500 N. Plum St., Hutchinson. Burial will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery.
Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, with the family present to receive friends from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday at Elliott Mortuary.
Memorials may be made to Cancer Council of Reno County, Eastwood Church of Christ, or All Stars of Hutchinson – Special Olympics, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.