John M. Schmitt

Monday, March 9, 2015 4:40 pm

John M. Schmitt, 87, Ossian, died Tuesday, March 3, 2015, at Ossian Senior Hospice, Ossian. Visitation was Friday, March 6, from 4-7 p.m. at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church, Ossian, and one hour before Mass at the church Saturday. Mass of Christian Burial was at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, March 7, at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church, Ossian. Msgr. Cletus Hawes was the celebrant. Burial followed at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Cemetery, Ossian. Schmitz-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Ossian, is assisting the family with the arrangements. Condolences may be left with graufuneralhomes.com.

John Melvin, the son of Conrad and Clara (Kuennen) Schmitt, was born June 18, 1927, in St. Lucas. He was united in marriage with Shirley Uhlenhake Sept. 19, 1949 at St. Aloysius Church, Calmar. To this union, eight children were born. John farmed with his dad for several years before moving to a farm northeast of Ossian in 1950. John and Shirley moved into Ossian in 1984 and he continued to help at the farm for the next 10 years. John was a member of St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church in Ossian and served on the De Sales School Board. He also served on the Winneshiek Mutual Insurance Board, the Ossian Senior Housing Board, the Ossian Senior Hospice Board and the Ossian City Council. He was one of the founding members of the Silver Springs Golf and Country Club and served as their first president. John enjoyed traveling and spending time with his grandchildren. He was an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan.

John is survived by his wife, Shirley; eight children: Gerald (Julie) Schmitt of St. Joseph, Mo., Susan Croatt of Cedar Falls, Cynthia (Dean) Bushman of Graham, Wash., Daniel (Mary Lynn) Schmitt, of Sumner, Richard (JoAnn) Schmitt of Dublin, Ohio, Allan (Luann) Schmitt of Ossian, David (Anita) Schmitt of West Burlington and Margie (Denis) Holien of Ossian; 21 grandchildren: Sara (B.J.) King, Douglas (Melanie) Schmitt, Emily (Brandon) Holtz, Karen (Chris) Martin, John (Abbey) Croatt, Jason (Jamie) Bushman, Christina (Keith) Taylor, Brooks (Terra) Schmitt, Storm Schmitt, Mitchell Schmitt, Rachel Schmitt, Matthew (Piya) Schmitt, Jennifer (Phil) O’Brien, Kristin (Javier  Guzman) Schmitt, Alyssa (Bob) Bullerman, Chelsea (Tim) Courtney, Ethan (fiancée, Glenda) Schmitt, John Schmitt, Aubrey Schmitt, Chase (Alanda) Holien and Caitlin Holien; 20 great-grandchildren; brother, Sam (Janice) Schmitt of St. Lucas; sister, Lorraine (Tom) Friedley of Denver, Colo. and sisters-in-law, Marvelene Smith of Ft. Atkinson and Darlyn Schmitt of Waucoma. 

He was preceded in death by his parents; grandchildren, Andrew Croatt and Ann Marie Bushman; grandson-in-law, Dana Reicks and two brothers, Luke Schmitt and Ernie Schmitt.