John H. Schmitt

John H. Schmitt, 81, of Low Moor, Iowa, passed away Wednesday, January 22, 2014 at Mercy Medical Center – North Campus, Clinton. A Mass will be celebrated at 10:30am, Monday, January 27, 2014 at the Church of the Visitation – Camanche. Military Honors will be conducted by the Camanche VFW. Visitation will be Sunday from 2:00-6:00pm at the church. Serving as pallbearers will be Thom Schmitt, Joe Schmitt, Tim Leslie, Robert Evers, Jeremy Brewer, and Matt Goben. Following the services his body will be cremated. The Camanche Chapel Snell-Zornig Funeral Homes & Crematory is assisting the family. Online condolences may be expressed by visiting his obituary at www.snellzornig.com John Herman Schmitt, Jr, was born on June 13, 1932 in Rock Island, Illinois, the son of John H. and Stella (Schulz) Schmitt. He attended Rock Island school, before graduating in 1950 from Calamus High School – Calamus, Iowa. Following high school he enlisted in the United States Army from 1952-1954 serving in the Korean Conflict. He later served 26 years in the Iowa National Guard. John married Margaret Chapman on April 30, 1960; she died January 2, 1969. He later married Suzanne Dollieslager on July 14, 1973 at St. Mark’s United Methodist Church – Camanche. They received a Catholic validation of their marriage on September 29, 1979 at the Church of the Visitation. John was employed as a parts manager for Lee Dahl Motors and Southgate Motors until working as equipment operator for the Iowa Department of Transportation from 1977 until his retirement in 1994. John was ordained a deacon in the Davenport Diocese on June 4, 1988 at Sacred Heart Cathedral. He served as deacon at Church of the Visitation from June 1988 until retiring in 2007. His diaconal service included prison ministry, nursing home prayer services, Eucharistic Minister at Mercy Medical Center and also visiting the homebound with the Eucharist. In addition to being a deacon John was a volunteer with the Mercy Auxiliary, delivered Meals on Wheels, served on the Low Moor City Council from 2012-2013 and was honored to be a part of the Honor Flight in October 2013. John is survived by his wife of 40 years: Sue of Low Moor; four daughters: Lori Schmitt of Clinton, Carmen Graham of Clinton, Katie Graham of Camanche, and Mary (Jason) Steen of Camanche; three sons: Jay (Marcia) Schmitt of Clinton, Thomas Graham of Widefield, Colorado, and Michael Schmitt of Low Moor, Iowa; 17 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren; his brother: Ronald Schmitt of Camanche; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife, his sister: Roxann “Sis”, and a granddaughter: Zena. Memorials can be made to the American Cancer Society.

John H. Schmitt

June 13, 1932 - January 22, 2014