Matthew "Mike" Schofield was born December 25, 1919, on a ranch south of Midland, South Dakota to Harry and Florence (Shaul)Schofield. He attended rural center school near the Schofield homestead for eight years. During his youth he worked as a ranch hand on several ranches in the Midland area including the Kruse, Madsen, and Tom Jones ranches.

In 1942 he entered the U.S. Army and served in the 56th Medical Battalion in Africa and Europe during World War II. He was decorated and honorably discharged with the rank of sergeant in October 1945.

He returned to Midland when he was united in marriage to Jean Fosheim on March 1, 1946. They worked on the Jack Mahler ranch near Kirley, South Dakota, for four years. In 1951 he moved to a ranch near Ottumwa, South Dakota and a few years later moved to the Henry Konal place west of Midland.

In 1957 he became a police officer in Midland and moved his family there. He served in that position for five years until 1962 when he was elected sheriff of Haakon County and moved his family to Philip, South Dakota. Mike held that position for 22 years until the time of his death.

Survivors include his wife, Jean Schofield, of Philip; five sons, Matt Schofield, Michael Schofield, Wade Schofield, and Jason Schofield all of Philip, and Brad Schofield of Gillette, Wyoming; three daughters, Nancy Russell of Kadoka, and Patricia Freeman and Nina Schofield both of Philip; 14 grandchildren; seven brothers, Robert Schofield, A.E. "Bud" Schofield, and Edward Schofield all of Philip, and Hank Schofield, Clarence Schofield, Alfred Schofield all of Midland, and Martin Schofield of Billings, Montana; and a host of other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two sister, Florence and Myrtle; and five brothers, Joe, Charlie, Richard, Forrest, and Everett.

FUNERAL SERVICES
Monday, March 25, 1985
2:00 p.m.
American Legion Hall
Philip, South Dakota
OFFICIATING
Reverend Russell Peirce
MUSIC
Shirley Amsden - Organist
JoAnne Stilwell - Vocalist
PALLBEARERS
Bobby Schofield - Don Schofield
Monte Schofield - Terry Schofield
Marvin Schofield
HONORARY PALLBEARERS
All Relatives and Friends in Attendance
INTERMENT
Masonic Cemetery
Philip, South Dakota