Fr. John P. Schmitt, age 85, died Thursday evening November 4, 2004 at Aurora Medical Center, Two Rivers.
Father John was born July 11, 1919, the tenth child of the late Henry and Anna (Geimer) Schmitt. He attended St. Luke Grade School and graduated from Washington High School Class of 1937. He then attended St. Norbert College and St. Francis Seminary. On October 28, 1944 John was ordained at the Milwaukee Cathedral by Archbishop Kiley for the Diocese of Green Bay. Father John's ministerial appointments include: 1944 Assistant, SS Peter and Paul Parish, Green Bay; 1947 Assistant, Holy Rosary Parish, Kewaunee; 1948, Assistant, St.Nicholas Parish, Freedom; 1949 Assistant, St. Luke Parish, Two Rivers; 1953 Temporary Administrator, St. Mary Parish, Leopolis; 1953 Temporary Assistant, St. Mary Parish, Appleton; 1954 Temporary Administrator, Holy Family Parish, Elcho; 1954 Assistant, St. Mary Parish, Algoma; 1956 Assistant, Most Precious Blood Parish, New London; 1957 Administrator, St. Paul Parish, Plainfield; 1966 Pastor, St. Mary Parish, Hilbert; 1969 Pastor, St. Boniface Parish, De Pere; 1972 Pastor, Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish, Humboldt; 1991 Temporary Administrator, St. Kilian Parish, New Franken.

Fr John retired June 30, 1992. Fr. John continued his priestly ministry in the Two Rivers area until his health prohibited him from doing so.

Survivors include a brother: James and his wife MaryAnn, Two Rivers; two sisters: Kathryn Gorski, Appleton; Jane and her husband John Kramer, Manitowoc; three sisters-in-law, Cleo (Francis) Schmitt, Two Rivers, Audrey (Paul) Schmitt, Manitowoc, Toni (Joe Schmitt) Becker, Two Rivers; a brother-in-law, Willard Birr, Two Rivers, and his housekeeper, Janet Vandehey, Two Rivers, who has been with him for the past 46 years. Many nieces, nephews also survive.

He was preceded in death by his parents, four sisters: Agnes Taddy, Louise Schmitt, Mary Birr and Mrs. Wayne (Jean) Stedman; nine brothers: Sylvester, Father Henry, Raymond, Bernard, Aloysius, Francis, Father Leo, Joseph and Paul.

Fr. John will be received into St. Peter the Fisherman Catholic Church (Holy Redeemer Site) at 4 p.m. on November 8, 2004 where the visitation will occur until 8 p.m. A prayer service will be held at 7 p.m. led by Rev. David Hoffman. The visitation will continue on Tuesday, November 9, 2004, from 9 a.m. until the time of service at 10:30 a.m. Presiding at the Mass of Christian burial will be the. Most Rev. David Zubik and concelebrated by the Most Rev. Mark Schmitt, Rev. Jerry Taddy, Rev. David Hoffman, Rev. William O'Brien, and Fr. John's fellow priests.

Burial will take place at Pioneer Rest Cemetery, Two Rivers.

A special "thank you" to Father Frank Kerscher and Fr. William O'Brien for their kindness to Father John. A thank you is also extended to the staff at St. Mary's Home, Manitowoc and Aurora Medical Center, Two Rivers.

In lieu of flowers, memorials for Masses would be appreciated and will be sent to retired priests. Memorials may also be made to St. Peter the Fisherman Parish, Two Rivers. I humbly and profoundly thank Almighty God for the gift of the Priesthood and for the sisters, and friends who have inspired and encouraged me in my priestly service.

The Klein & Stangel Funeral Home and Cremation Care Center, Two Rivers, is assisting the family with funeral arrangements.

Herald Times Reporter, November 2004

(Note: He is buried in Calvary cemetery, Two Rivers. The newspaper was in error)
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U.S., Social Security Death Index
Name: John P. Schmitt
SSN: Omitted for privacy
Last Residence: 54241 Two Rivers, Manitowoc, Wisconsin, USA
BORN: 11 Jul 1919
Died: 4 Nov 2004
State (Year) SSN issued: Wisconsin (Before 1951)