Obit: Schmitz, Joshua Mark #2 (1985 - 2006)
Contact:  Audrey Roedl
Email: audero@charter.net

Surnames: SCHMITZ COLBY GILES BENNETT

----Sources: Loyal TRG 03 January 2007

Schmitz, Joshua M. (16 JAN 1985 - 26 DEC 2006)

Joshua Mark Schmitz, 21, Spencer, died on Tuesday, Dec. 26, 2006, from injuries he sustained while conducting combat operations in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. He was a corporal in the U.S. Marine Corps. Visitation will be held in the Loyal High School gymnasium on Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2007, fro, 2-7 p.m. Following the visitation, a public funeral will be held at 7 p.m., in the gymnasium. A private family service will be held at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, with burial in St. Anthony’s Catholic Cemetery, at a later date. Full military rites will be conducted by a U.S. Marine Corps Honor Guard.

Joshua Mark Schmitz was born on Jan. 16, 1985, in Marshfield, to Mark and Kelly (nee Gilles) Schmitz. He attended St. Anthony’s Catholic School and graduated from Loyal High School in 2003. He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps on Sept. 15, 2003. He graduated from basic training at Camp Pendleton, Calif., on Dec. 12, 2003. He was then stationed at Camp Lejeune, N.C., where he served with Lima Company until he began his first tour in Iraq on Feb. 15, 2005. At home, in Loyal, Josh was a loving son, brother, grandson, uncle, nephew and cousin, and a good friend to many. He was a member of St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, enjoyed playing football in high school and playing drums in the 3rd Tri Rock band that he and two high school friends, Travis Strey and Brent Motion, formed. He was not only willing to serve his country, but was always willing to help others out.

He will be sadly missed by his parents, Mark and Kelly Schmitz, Spencer; two sisters, Angela (Kevin) Colby, Loyal, and Stephanie Schmitz, at home; three brothers, Justin, Brandon, and Nick, all at home; his maternal grandparents, Ken and Bonnie (nee Heier) Gilles, Medford; his paternal grandparents, Marlin and Virginia (Nee Wolf) Schmitz, Granton; one nephew, Jorden Bennett, Loyal; one niece, Page Colby, Loyal; several aunts, uncles, cousins and many friends.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in his name are being accepted at Citizens State Bank of Loyal.

Cuddie Funeral Home, Loyal, is assisting the family with arrangements