Joseph C. Schmitt

Honorable, patriotic, respectable and a family man are only a few words to describe Joe Schmitt. He was a devoted husband, loving father and outstanding friend to all.

Joseph was born to John and Antonette (Centilli) Schmitt in Grand Rapids, MI on August 23, 1911. He was the third born of six children in the family. Joe and his five siblings, Arthur, Florian, Bernice, Helen and Lilian were raised on the Southwest side of town. The entire Schmitt family owned a homestead near Burton and Galewood SW. In town, the Schmitt's ran the Galewood Theater and owned the first car dealership- Buick Automobile Agency. Joe's father worked hard as a supervisor of furniture manufacturing and his mother stayed home to tend to the children.

In highschool, Joe was a popular and busy young man. He worked as a MC at the Theater and often sang along with the band. Joe was considered by many as the greatest athlete to play at Lee High. He participated in nearly every sport including football, basketball, track and baseball. He also enjoyed poetry and had the lead in the school play. Joe and his highschool sweetheart, Donna Johnson knew their love was meant for a lifetime. Before graduation, Joe and Donna married on January 15, 1931 at the Justice of the Peace. Later, they renewed their wedding vows in the Catholic Church. Joe graduated in the spring of 1931. After high school, he worked at Herpolsheimer's Department Store in men's clothing. In December of 1931, Joe and Donna welcomed their son, Joe C. into their arms. In August of 1933, Donna gave birth to their second son "Max" (Muriel). In 1939 World War II had just begun. By that time, Joe was too old to be drafted so he decided to enlist in the Army to serve his country. While Joe was away for a few years, Donna and the boys stayed close to extended family. When he returned from war the family didn't have much money. One night, Joe tried to sneak himself and his two boys into a Lee High School Football game and he was caught by the police. The policemen recognized Joe and let him and his boys go right into the game.

Joe and Donna both believed strongly in the Catholic faith and they raised their boys attending Holy Name Catholic Church. Joe proudly served as a minister of hospitality and at the Catholic Information Center. He was also an altar server and assisted in the Rosary each week. After Sundays mass, Joe often took the boys over to grandma's house for a few hours to visit until Donna would call them home for supper. Both Joe and Donna enjoyed sports. The whole family liked baseball and each year they went to several Detroit Tigers' games. The family loved vacationing together and they took numerous trips to Lake Mitchell in Cadillac, MI where lots of fishing was done. Joe was tight with money but he was never cheap with his family. They were the first in the family to buy a television. Joe was thrilled to invite all the extended family over to watch a big championship fight on their new nine-inch TV.

Joe didn't stay with Herpolsheimer's and went on to work as a purchasing agent and sales manager at Wurzburg's Department Store. He was a hard worker and for several years he earned the Manager of the Year award. His dedication paid off and he became the highest paid employee at Wurzburg's. Later, he enrolled at the University of Michigan where he earned his degree in real estate appraising. Joe then worked as the City of Wyoming purchasing agent and assessor. He was an active member of the Lions Club and the Elks. He spent plenty of time out on the golf course with business associates as well as with friends. He and Donna also looked forward to spending their winters in the later years in the sunny state of Florida, usually in Ft. Lauderdale. Joe drove straight through to Florida until he was ninety-two years old. He and Donna loved to have fun with their family and friends. They hosted many card parties with their friends. A lot of them were hunters and on occassion they would have wild game night with all their families.

Joe was a tenderhearted man and one day he taught a deep and profound truth to his grandson, Rick. Rick was only five years old and was attending Joe's mother's funeral. It was an emotional time and Joe put Rick upon his lap and told him that "a man is not a man unless he is man enough to cry." Rick never forgot that moment.

Throughout his life, Joe developed deep and lasting relationships with many friends and family. He was blessed with eleven grandchildren, thirty-one great grandchildren and eight great great grandchildren. Joe will be remembered as a perfect parent by his children who say they couldn't have had any better. He was a faithful and devoted husband and loving friend. Joe will be deeply missed and fondly remembered by all who's hearts he touched.

Mr. Joseph C. Schmitt Sr., age 94 of Grand Rapids, passed away suddenly October 16, 2005. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Donna; parents, John and Antonette Schmitt; brothers Arthur and Florian Schmitt and sisters Bernice Van Syke and Helen Pennard. He is survived by his sons Joseph C (Trudy) Schmitt Jr and L.D. "Max" (Muriel) Schmitt; 11 grandchildren, 31 great grandchildren and 8 great great grandchildren; sister Lillian Jerry; sister-in-law Doris Kamradt; and other relatives including Ellen Fill and Virginia Schmitt and many nieces and nephews. Mass of Christian Burial will be Wednesday, October 19, 2005 at 12 noon at the Cathedral of St. Andrew. Relatives and friends are invited to meet with Joe's family at the Heritage Life Story Funeral Home - Alt & Shawmut Hills Chapel, 2120 Lake Michigan Drive NW on Tuesday from 2:00p.m.-4:00p.m. and 7:00p.m.-9:00p.m. where a vigil service will be held at 7:00p.m. Please visit Joe's personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com., where you can share a memory, order flowers on-line or make a memorial contribution. Memorials may be made to the Lion's Club.