Obit: Schmitt, LaVerne John (1931 - 2016)

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

Surnames: Schmitt, Hainz, Zimmerman, Illinski, Crothers, Cortez, Joseph

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 11/09/2016

Schmitt, LaVerne John (13 September 1931 – 3 November 2016) With Flag

LaVerne John Schmitt, 85, of Neillsville died Thursday Nov. 3, 2016, at the Care and Rehabilitation Center-Neillsville.

LaVerne was born Sept. 13, 1931, in Neillsville, the son of Jacob and Sarah (Hainz) Schmitt. He attended St. Mary’s Grade School and graduated from Neillsville High School in 1950. He served with the United States Army during the Korean War in 1952 and 1953.

LaVerne was united in marriage to Delores Zimmerman June 15, 1963, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Boyd. Together they farmed in the Town of Grant. While he farmed, LaVerne also found time to remodel and build new buildings on the farm. He sawed all the logs he cut into lumber from trees on the farm. He built the rafters for the barn and also for the house when they remodeled. He removed the roof of the main section in March and reshaped the roof and added the new rafters. Luckily, it did not rain before he could get the new shingles. In recent years, he enjoyed collecting and restoring antique gas engines into good running condition. He showed these engines and attended shows in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, and Canada.

He is survived by his wife Delores, two sons: Kenneth John (Laurie) Schmitt of Colfax and James Allen (Lori) Schmitt of Mount Horeb; seven grandchildren: Andrew, Derek, Adam, Allison, Amy, Elizabeth and Timothy; and two nephews: Robert and Mark Illinski.

LaVerne was preceded in death by his parents and siblings: Lourdes Illinski, Ivo Schmitt and Ira Schmitt.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 11, 2016, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Neillsville. Rev. Varkey V. Joseph will officiate. Providing music will be Vincent Cortez, organist, and St. Mary’s Choir. Visitation time will be held from 9:30 a.m. at 11 a.m. Friday morning at St. Mary’s. Interment will be in St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery with military honors performed by the Neillsville Veteran’s Council.

Casketbearers are Andrew Schmitt, Derek Schmitt, Adam Schmitt, Mark Illinski, Bob Illinski and Ed Crothers.

Online condolences may be made at www.geschefh.com.  The Gesche Funeral Home is assisting LaVerne’s family with funeral arrangements.