Obit: Schmitz, Lamar Arnold #2 (1930 - 2012)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Schmitz, Heinrich, Ott, Harder, Blindbauer, Lilly, Tasse, Biebert

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 10/10/2012

Schmitz, Lamar Arnold (31 March 1930 - 2012)

Lamar Schmitz, 82, of Neillsville was called to be reunited with his son, Daniel, Oct. 6, 2012, at the Neillsville Care and Rehabilitation Center in Neillsville.

Lamar Arnold Schmitz was born in the Township of Lynn at home to George and Dorothy (Heinrich) Schmitz, March 31, 1930. He was baptized and confirmed at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Nasonville and was currently an active member of St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Neillsville, where he has served on the church council and as an usher. He received his education in the Town of Lynn and graduated from Marshfield High school in 1948.

He married Thelma June Ott Aug. 6, 1949, at her parents’ home, as St. John’s Lutheran Church was under construction. They owned a small grocery store in Marshfield and farmed with Thelma’s parents for a short time. They moved to Abbotsford in 1954 to manage Afkends IGA store and worked for A. M. P. I. in Green Bay. In 1964 they purchased a grocery store and meat market with the helping hands of their children, which was called Schmitz Family Market in Neillsville (on East Division); later they converted the store into a restaurant called Mr. Schmitty’s. They sold the restaurant in 1984, and Lamar went to work for Crafts Trading Center, Urban Sales and Service and drove for Abby Vans until his retirement in 2011. He had perfect attendance for Lions Club meetings for 50-plus years. He was a long-time member of the Neillsville Chamber of Commerce and held many offices. He played Santa for over 60 years. The children wee the joy of his life, but he never forgot what the real meaning of Christmas was. His hobbies were camping, yard work and cooking on the grill. His favorite time was with his grandchildren, far and near and attending their sports and school functions.

Lamar is survived by his wife of 63 years, Thelma; three sons, Dick (Beth) Schmitz of Chilton, Duane (Lynn) Schmitz of Maplewood, MN, and Dean Schmitz of Chippewa Falls; good friend Dan johnson; one daughter, Darla (Grant) Harder of Greenwood; and nine grandchildren, Rick (Emily) Schmitz, Christina (Tom) Blindbauer, Alex and Aric Schmitz, Luke (Jessica) Harder, Rachel Harder (Robert Lilly), Joseph Harder, Samuel Harder and David Harder. He is also survived by four great-grand children, Travis and Kayla Schmitz and Dayton and Daisy Harder, and three siblings, Jerry (Lila) Schmitz, Ronald (Shelby) Schmitz and Betty Tasse.

He was preceded in death by a son, Daniel Lee, in 1972; his parents; and a brother-in-law, Cyril.

Funeral services for Lamar will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, October 10, 2012, at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Neillsville. Pastor Timothy Biebert will officiate. Visitation was held from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 9, 2012, at the Gesche Funeral Home in Neillsville, and from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Wednesday morning at the church. Interment will be in the Town of Lynn Cemetery.

Serving as casketbearers will be his grandchildren and honorary casketbearers will be his great-grandchildren.

Online condolences may be made at www.geschefh.com.

The Gesche Funeral Home is assisting Lamar’s family with funeral arrangements.