Joseph Schmitz

Joseph W. Schmitz, 92, of Ottawa, IL passed away Thursday January 28, 2010. Mass of Christian burial will be 10:00 am Monday, February 1, 2010 at St. Columba Church with Rev. David Kipfer officiating. Visitation will be 3-5 pm Sunday, January 31, at Ottawa Funeral Home with prayers at 3:00. Entombment will be in the Mausoleum at Oakwood Memorial Park. Joseph was born August 20, 1917 in Ottawa, IL to Joseph and Katherine (McGuire) Schmitz. He married Sally Marten July 18, 1980 in Ottawa. They later renewed their vows in the Netherlands. Joseph was a Sergeant T 4 while serving in the U.S. Army in the South Pacific during WWII. He worked at the Ottawa Post Office for 25 years. He was also owner and operator of Schmitz Realty in Ottawa for 47 years. He was a member of St. Columba Church, Illinois Valley Realtor's Association, Elks Club, VFW, American Legion, the Chamber, and was a past Board member at Pleasant View and YMCA. Joseph was a very kind, understanding, and loving husband, father, and grandfather who will be greatly missed by all. He is survived by his wife, Sally; three daughters, Joni Stevenson of Indianapolis, IN, Catherine (Joel) Banks of Apollo Beach, FL, Melissa (Paul) Tipple of Ottawa; two sons, Peter Schmitz of Fort Myer, FL and David (Maria) Usrey of Bloomington; sixteen grandchildren; and twelve great grandchildren. Joseph is preceded in death by four brothers, Robert, James, Gordon, and Wayne Schmitz; and three sisters, Lois O'Shea, Ruth Koepke, and Mary Jean Falk. Pallbearers will be Dan, David, Joseph, and Robb McGinnis, Zachary Graves, Paul Tipple and Jay Aicher. Honorary Pallbeaers will be Robert Marten, Robert Schmitz, and Wayne Aicher. Memorials may be directed to the St. Columba Church Building Fund or Donor's Choice.

click for directions