Lamar A Schmitz

Lamar Schmitz, age 82, of Neillsville was called home to be reunited with his son Daniel on October 6, 2012 at the Neillsville Care and Rehabilitation Center in Neillsville, WI.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 now is an active member of St. John's 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 on August 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, later they converted the store into a restaurant called Mr. Schmitty's. They sold that in 1984 and Lamar went to work for Crafts Trading Center, Urban Sales and Service and drove for Abby Van's until his retirement, in 2011. He had perfect attendance for Lions Club meetings for 50+ 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 were 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 times were when he could spend time 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, WI, Duane (Lynn) Schmitz, of Maplewood, MN and Dean Schmitz of Chippewa Falls WI and good friend Dan Johnson, one daughter, Darla (Grant) Harder of Greenwood, WI, 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 grandchildren, 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 and his parents and a brother-in-law, Cyril.Funeral services for Lamar will be held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, October 10, 2012 at St. John's Lutheran Church in Neillsville, WI. Pastor Timothy Biebert will officiate. Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Tuesday, October 9, 2012 at the Gesche Funeral Home in Neillsville, WI and from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m., Wednesday morning at the church. Interment will be in the Town of Lynn Cemetery.Serving as casket bearers will be his grandchildren and honorary casket bearers 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.Funeral Home:Gesche Funeral Home4 South Grand AvenueNeillsville, WIUS 54456