Obit: Schmidt, Donald #2 (1935 - 2012)

Contact: Audrey Roedl
Email: audero@charter.net

Surnames: Schmidt, Gebauer, Wichman, Aspeslet, Mielke

----Source: The Loyal TRG (Loyal, Clark County, WI) 24 Oct 2012

Schmidt, Donald (02 Jan 1935-17 Oct 2012)

Donald J. “Don” Schmidt, 77, Marshfield, passed away on Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2012 at the House of the Dove in Marshfield, surrounded by family after a year-long battle with lung cancer. A Mass of Christian Burial was held at 10:30 a.m., on Monday, Oct. 22, at St. John’s Catholic Church, Marshfield. Rev. Sam Martin officiated. Cindy Penker provided music, along with St. John’s Funeral choir provided music for the service. Burial took place in St. Anthony’s Cemetery, Loyal, with military rites conducted by the Loyal American Legion.

Donald James Schmidt, the son of Andrew and Mary (nee Gebauer) Schmidt, was born on Jan. 2, 1935, in the town of Loyal, Clark County. He grew up on his parent’s farm and attended the Spokesville Country Grade School and graduated from Loyal High School in 1952. His life-long career as an auto mechanic began with him working at Fisher Body Division of General Motors, Janesville. He then returned north to work for years at Thomas Auto Sales and Salvage in Loyal. In 1975, he started his own business, D.J. Service Auto Repair, in Edgar, and retired in 2001. He married Judith J. “Judy” Wichman (daughter of Orville and Edith Wichman) of Loyal on July 28, 1962, at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, Loyal. They moved to Marshfield, where they resided since. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in July. Donald was a child at heart with his hobbies. After a few years of flying an airplane, he turned to stock car racing in central Wisconsin from 1960-73. In the 1980s, Donald’s passion for cars turned toward antique collector cars of the 1950’s and 1960”s. His favorites, which he meticulously refurbished, were two 1957 Mercury Turnpike Cruisers (a 2-door hard top and a 4-door hard top). He frequented many car shows and enthusiastically attended the Iola Car Show every year through 2010, when he was diagnosed with cancer.

Donald is survived by his wife, Judy, Marshfield. three daughters, Teresa (Jon) Aspeslet, Marshfield, Dawn (Jay) Mielke, Neenah, and Cherie Schmidt, Marshfield; five grandchildren, who were a joyful blessing in his elder years, Rachael, Kelly and Michelle Aspeslet, and Alayna and Trevyn Tham; two step-grandchildren, Meghan and Marissa Mielke; Jason Tham, to whom Don was like a father; 16 nieces and nephews; along with numerous other relatives. Donald, the eldest child in his family, is further survived by his siblings, Jerome (Karen) Schmidt, Hartville, Mo., Marie (Lawrence) Waldhauser, Fridley, Minn., Dorothy Ertl, Marshfield, Andrew (Faye) Schmidt, Tomahawk, and Evelyn (John) Schultz, Spencer.

Through the years, Donald’s personality and interests connected him with many people who became his friends. The family thanks all who provided Donald with smiles, visits, and communication to uplift his spirits in his final days. We appreciate the wonderful care at The Marshfield Care Center their staff provided during his stay there. We are thankful for existence of the House of the Dove and its comfortable atmosphere and caring staff who provided excellent care for Donald which allowed his family to spend more personal time with him.

Condolences may be sent online to www.rembsfh.com.

Rembs Funeral Home, Marshfield, assisted the family with arrangements.