2/17/1939 - 12/5/2019
Robert “Bob” F. Schmit, 80, of Bryant, Indiana passed away on Thursday
December 5, 2019 in Visiting Nurse and Hospice Home in Fort Wayne.
Bob was born in Detroit, Michigan on February 17, 1939 to the late Victor O.
and Kathleen Marie (Armitage) Schmit. Bob was a 1957 graduate of Bryant High
School and a veteran of the US Army serving in Alaska from 1959-1962.
Besides farming for over 50 years, Bob worked as a machinist at Portland
Forge, retiring after 42 years. Bob was a lifelong member of Holy Trinity
Catholic Church, serving at weekday masses.
Bob was very dedicated to
the youth in the county, especially 4-H and the FFA. Being a 10 year member
of 4-H himself, he was an avid supporter and bidder in the 4-H auction and
in honoring 10 year members. Likewise, he was involved in 4-H leadership and
on the 4-H Council, and received an Indiana State Fair award for being a 4-H
volunteer. Bob also served on the Bryant Community Center Board, on the Soil
and Water Conservation Board, Purdue Extension Advisory Board, and was a
Hoosier Recreation Workshop member. For his volunteer work, Bob received the
Jay County Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year Award in 2012, the
Cincinnatus League Hall of Fame for a Lifetime of Service, and the Jack Cole
Award for Volunteerism. He also was inducted into the FFA Ag Hall of Fame.
Bob enjoyed spending time with his family, friends, and civic groups.
For 41 years, Bob attended and enjoyed the Indianapolis 500 by taking family
and friends along with him. He delighted in encouraging, inspiring, and
helping others especially the youth.
Survivors include siblings:
Frank (Debbie) Schmit of Dayton, Ohio; Joe (Vicki) Schmit of Bradenton,
Florida; Gene (June) Schmit of Bryant; Jerry Schmit of Adrian, Michigan;
Esther (Bill) Johnson of Warsaw, Indiana; Pat (Dennis) Halfman of Carmel,
Indiana; Mike (Barb) Schmit of Mount Carmel, Illinois; Phil (Cecelia) Schmit
of Fort Wayne, Indiana; Paul Schmit of Angola, Indiana; and Jan Konchalski
of Fort Wayne, Indiana; brother-in-law Randy Price of Pendleton, Indiana;
many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews. He was preceded in
death by his parents and siblings Victor Schmit, Mary Ann Chezem, Kay Price,
brother in law Tom Chezem, niece Monica Chezum Morris and sister-in law
Sally Schmit.
A Mass of Christian burial will be at 10:30 A.M. Friday
December 13, 2019 at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Bryant, Indiana with Fr.
Kenneth Alt as celebrant. Burial will follow in Holy Trinity Catholic
Church's Cemetery. Visitation will be Thursday December 12 from 2:00 – 7:00
P.M. and Friday from 9:00 -10:00 A.M. in the Baird-Freeman Funeral Home in
Portland , Indiana. Per Bob's request in lieu of flowers memorials can be
made to 4-H, Visiting Nurse and Hospice Home or Masses.
Baird-Freeman Funeral Home; December 7, 2019
Contributed by Jim Cox
Buried in in Holy Trinity Catholic Church's Cemetery