JAMES R. SCHMITT

James R. Schmitt, age 76, of 8635 Beech Road, Two Rivers, died on Thursday morning in the company of his family at home after a short battle with cancer.

Jim was born on June 7, 1931, in Two Rivers. He was a lifelong resident of Two Rivers, attending St. Luke's School and graduating from Washington High School, Two Rivers, in 1949. He went on to St. Norbert College and graduated from Marquette University in 1954. Jim sang lead for the Schmitt Brothers Barbershop Quartet. The Schmitt Brothers went on to win the International Barbershop competition in Toledo, Ohio, in 1951. The quartet performed on the Arthur Godfrey radio show, Ed Sullivan show, Lawrence Welk show and in Carnegie Hall. They toured Army camps in Alaska and entertained thousands of people for over 35 years.

Jim married Mary Ann Gleichner on August 22, 1953, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Two Rivers. Jim and Mary celebrated their wedding anniversary on the 22nd of every month. On May 22nd, the day he died, they were married 657 months.

In their many years together, Jim and Mary Ann enjoyed celebrating life with their 11 children, nine in-laws and 29 grandchildren. The couple especially loved the Christmas season and was featured in the Herald Times Reporter because of their tradition of making handmade gifts for each of their children, in-laws and grandchildren. Jim and Mary Ann loved to travel and experience the cultures of China, Mexico, Ireland, England, France, Nova Scotia and many United States destinations. Jim was very involved in the community. He was founding president of the Two Rivers United Fund in 1968 and was also a member of the merger committee to establish the United Way in Manitowoc County. Jim was exalted ruler of the Elks Club, president of the Optimist Club, president of Wisconsin Counties Utility Tax Association, vice-chairman of the Red Cross Board and County Board supervisor. He was a member of the Serra Club, Industrial Development Corporation, Two Rivers Historical Society and St. Peter the Fisherman Finance Committee. Due to his outstanding community service, the United Way awarded him the Extraordinary Service Award in 1995.

Along with his brother, Joe, Jim owned J&J Schmitt Lumber Company, Manitowoc. He later bought Two Rivers Realty and worked as a Realtor into his retirement. Throughout his years, he continued his love of singing with the Clipper City Chords men and Ecumenical Mens Choir.

(Survivors omitted for privacy.)

Jim is preceded in death by his parents: Henry and Anna (Geimer) Schmitt; two children: Bernard and Frances; two grandchildren: Monica Meyer and Eva Schmitt; and 10 brothers and four sisters.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, May 27, 2008, at St. Peter the Fisherman Catholic Church, Two Rivers. Officiating at the Mass of Christian Burial will be the Rev. Carl Schmitt (his son); Bishop Robert Morneau (the homilist); Bishop Mark Schmitt; the Rev. Paul Schumacher; the Rev. Jerome Taddy; and the Rev. William O'Brien. Burial will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery, Two Rivers.

The family will receive relatives and friends at Klein & Stangel Funeral Home, Two Rivers, on Monday, May 26, from 4 until 7 p.m., where a prayer service will conclude the visitation. The visitation will continue on Tuesday, May 27, 2008, at the church from 9 until 10:15 a.m.

Memorial contributions will be given to the Rev. Leo Schmitt Scholarship Fund at Roncalli High School, St. Peter the Fisherman Elementary School, Serra Club and the United Way.

Herald Times Reporter, May 23, 2008