Robert John Schmitz

Robert John Schmitz, the son of William and Margaret Brincks Schmitz, was born January 27, 1929, in Carroll, Iowa and died December 23, 2011, at the Nebraska Veterans Home in Grand Island, Nebraska at the age of 82 years, 10 months, and 26 days. Bob was baptized and confirmed at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Dedham, Iowa. He attended the Parochial School in Dedham and then graduated from the Carroll High School with the Class of 1947. Bob then helped operate the family farm. On January 4, 1951, Bob was inducted in to the U.S. Army. He had his basic training with the 10th Infantry at Fort Riley, Kansas. He was transferred to the 17th Infantry where he received advanced training. They were transported to Korea where they were involved in several battles. Bob was honorably discharged in 1953 and returned to Dedham where he was employed as a mechanic for a short time. He then returned to farming. Bob was united in marriage to Marian Gute at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Audubon. They moved to Audubon where Bob was employed at the Conoco gas station. Marian died in April of 1972. Later Bob married Clara Spieker Hamling on June 13, 1976 in Audubon. Bob continued to work at the gas station until he retired. Both Bob and Clara enjoyed traveling around the United States. When they retired they lived in Audubon and then later moved to York, Nebraska. Bob just recently moved to the Veterans Home in Grand Island. Bob was a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Audubon. He was a member of American Legion Post No. 20, Dedham, Iowa. Bob was the Past Commander and lifetime member of Dale Christensen Post No. 4119, Audubon, Iowa. Bob was preceded in death by his first wife Marian; his step-son Leander Hamling; his step daughter-in-law Donna Hamling; his parents; his brothers and sisters Irma and husband Emmett Morgan, Louis and wife Hazel Schmitz, Mary Swatta, Bill and wife Kathleen Schmitz, Ray and wife Ruth Schmitz, Joe and wife Ruth Schmitz, Marlene Schmitz, Marcella Berning, and Mildred Landon; his brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Agnes and husband “Skeets” Friese, Gilbert and wife Charlotte Spieker, Lucille Billig, and Joe and wife Emma Spieker. Survivors include his wife Clara Schmitz of York, Nebraska; his step son LeRoy Hamling of Forsyth, Missouri, his step daughter-in-law Joyce Hamling of York, Nebraska; His sister and brother Rita Becker of Carroll, Iowa, Donald and wife Pauline Schmitz of Dedham, Iowa; his brothers-in-law John Swatta of Indianola, Iowa, Clarence Berning of Carroll, Iowa, Tom Landon of Auburn, Iowa, Patrick and wife Alvina Spieker of Oregon; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends..

Cemetery:
Interment will be in St. Patrick's Catholic Cemetery in Audubon, Iowa.

Visitation:
The family will meet with friends Monday evening, December 26, 2011, at 7:00 P.M. at the Kessler Funeral Home in Audubon, Iowa with a rosary at 7:30 P.M.

Service:
The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Father Emmanuel Awguoke on Tuesday, December 27, 2011, at 10:30 A.M. at St. Patrick's Cathoilc Church in Audubon, Iowa.