December 9, 2019 at 6:29 p.m.
Bob Schmit
Feb. 17, 1939-Dec. 5, 2019
Robert “Bob” F. Schmit, 80, of Bryant, Indiana, passed away on Thursday, Dec. 5, 2019, in Visiting Nurse and Hospice Home in Fort Wayne.
Bob was born in Detroit, Michigan, on Feb. 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 U.S. Army serving in Alaska from 1959 to 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, Jay County Soil and Water Conservation District Board and 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; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; siblings Victor Schmit, Mary Ann Chezem and 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, Dec. 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, Dec. 12 from 2 to 7 p.m. and Friday from 9 to 10 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.
Condolences may be expressed at bairdfreeman.com.
Bob was born in Detroit, Michigan, on Feb. 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 U.S. Army serving in Alaska from 1959 to 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, Jay County Soil and Water Conservation District Board and 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; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; siblings Victor Schmit, Mary Ann Chezem and 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, Dec. 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, Dec. 12 from 2 to 7 p.m. and Friday from 9 to 10 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.
Condolences may be expressed at bairdfreeman.com.
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