Jerry V. Schmits,
74, passed away on Feb. 19. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather,
brother and friend.
A stickler for shiny shoes and neatly
cropped haircuts, Jerry served two years in the U.S. Army and then 28 years in
the U.S. Army Reserve, retiring as a lieutenant colonel.
He was quick with a smile and as quick to
enjoy a hearty laugh. Often teased for his frugality and precise punctuality,
he filled his free time by refinishing furniture, tending roses, reading
mysteries, and playing cards or dominoes with friends and family.
He also enjoyed annual trips to the Indy 500
and
Jerry earned a civil engineering degree from
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology in 1959. A
licensed professional engineer, he worked for Feigel,
J.H. Rudolph, Koester Companies and, most recently, his own consulting firm.
He was a 1955 graduate of
A past president of the Freedom Festival,
Jerry particularly enjoyed the festival's parade.
He served on the board of
He served as a volunteer for Life Choices
and the Operating Engineers Apprenticeship Program.
Survivors include his wife of 45 years, Mary
Elaine (Weber) Schmits; daughters Jen Thomas (John)
of
He was preceded in death by his parents,
Victor and Helen Schmits of
Visitation will be from
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at
Christ the King Catholic Church,
