John Schmidt Sr. October 25, 1939 – August 24. 2024.
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of John Schmidt Sr on August 24. 2024, as he wished, he passed peacefully at home with family by his side.
Beloved husband of Carol (Phillips) for 65 years. Loving father to John Jr, Angela, Debbie (Paul), Peter (+) (Cathy), Donna and Elizabeth (Jim). Proud Grandfather to Stephanie (Justin), Travis (Andrea), Corbin (Catherine), Alex (Mila), Miranda (Jimmy), Tafline (Leo), Mack (Adena), Abigail, Jaime (Eric), Brandon (Adrienne) Jack (Nora), Jeffrey and Dexter. Great Grandfather to Barrett, Emmett, Violett, Charlie, Reagan, Austyn, Sabina, Makenna, Summer, Jessica, Nick, Henry, Isaac, Aria, Max and Xochitl. With 2 more great grandchildren on the way. Great Great grandfather to Harry and Harvey.
Everyone who knew John, knew he had a full life with the love of his life Carol. They met in Dunnville in their teenage years and their lives grew in love and happiness for 68 years and in marriage for 65 years. Their home was full with their six children, 13 grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren and 2 great great grandchildren. Nothing was ever quiet or boring if you were part of the cousin or friend entourage that regularly were part of the family.
John was a great mechanic who started out his mechanical journey by taking apart the family tractor at the age of 7 when he was supposed to be at his sister’s wedding. He made it as an official mechanic by attending trade school in Toronto in 1959. He was always farming and with the help of his brothers always fixing something because as he said “You weren’t a real farmer if you weren’t fixing something”. As a mechanic he spent many years working at Phillips transport and in 1972 he started Schmidt water Haulage, which is still going strong with his son John. John enjoyed baseball, he umpired and coached minor sports softball and had a men’s baseball team called the HOLLERS with a large majority of the players being Schmidts! He enjoyed local Terriers and Mudcats hockey and for many years as he was known for driving the team bus to all their games with Carol at his side. He spent some time honing his mechanical prowess with his interest in mini tractor pulling and enjoyed the camaraderie, challenges and success. His interest in tractors never wavered and he still has a few Farmall carcasses on the farm ready to be refurbished and put on display.
His dedication to God and Church was a long history instilled with family, the Mennonite and Brethren in Christ faith. The Church was another family that supported him and his extended family with support and guidance in good and challenging times. To remember John is to remember that he was there to hold you in love, faith and accountability whenever you needed it, and he will be missed by many but never forgotten.
John is predeceased by his parents Nikolai & Helena Schmidt, siblings Henreich, Nick (Susan), Henry (Betty), Mary Hamm (Herb), Jake (Esther), Dave (Susan), Katie Ewert (Corny) and survived by his sister Annie Ewert (John) (+). Predeceased by his inlaws Bernard and Josephine Phillips and sister-in-law Linda Harrison. Survived by Joanne Barless (Bob), Nancy Barth (Joe), Kathy Quinlan (John), Bernie Phillips (Pam), Dianne Jentsch (Peter) and Paul Phillips (Laura)(+) . Survived by many nieces and nephews.
Friends may call at JW Hart Funeral Home, Dunnville on Wednesday from 2-4 & 6-8 pm. Funeral service will be held at Wainfleet Be In Christ Church 53007 Perry Road, Wainfleet Thursday August 29, 2024 at 11:00 am. Interment Maple Lawn Cemetery. Memorial donations to the Mennonite Central Committee or a charity of your choice would be appreciated by the family. Online condolences jwhartfuneralhome.com
My deepest sympathy.
Long time friend
Condolences to all
Sorry for the loss
My most sincere condolences to all
Liz and Family. My sincere condolences on the loss of your father. I’m thinking of your all during this difficult time ❤️
He was a great man & part of a wonderful family. So sorry for your loss🙏🙏🙏
Sending our Deepest Sympathy to Carol and the Schmidt Family.
John was a great guy deepest sympathy to his family.
Deepest of condolences to all the many, many Schmidt family members and to all those who loved and were loved by John. I could never forget how deeply John was touched by Mack’s wedding speech which acknowledge all the wonderful life lessons Mack had learned from him. It was a beautiful tribute. Sending prayers out to Carol, John Jr., Angela, Debbie, Donna, and Elizabeth and families.
This is a very sad loss for the Schmidt family . We had many good times over the years . John and Carol were a very special couple. We will always remember Johns incredible laugh.Our kids grew up together It was never a quiet time @ the Schmidt house but always fun. Hugs to all of you .John can now be Reunited with his son Peter.
Wayne & Linda Chalmers
So, sorry to hear of John’s passing, he was a long time family friend and customer at our parts store, going back to Phillips transport and then personally with the water trucks and farm. We were always trying to out joke each other, that big booming laugh 😎
Our thoughts and prayers for peace, for the families, at this time.
Our sincerest condolences to Carol and all the families. We are saddened to hear of John’s passing. It was a pleasure to know him. May he rest in peace. 😇🙏 The Shaver family
Carol and families we are sorry to hear of John’s passing. Thinking of all at this most difficult time. Our condolences
So sorry to hear of the passing of John. Condolences to the family.
So sorry for your loss sending 🫂 and prayers 🙏 s for great memories and peace
So sorry for your loss of John. He will certainly be missed
Cherish the memories
My sincere condolences to Donna, Carol and the rest of the family during this difficult time.
Condolences to the Schmidt and Phillips families
Our sincere condolences to all of John’s family.
I didn’t know big, bad John long but he was a great person to be acquainted with. His laugh could tickle you. So sorry for your loss.
Helen & Greg Baran
To Carol and the entire Schmidt family please accept our deepest condolences so sorry for your loss RIP John The Espinet family
My sincere condolences, always friendly with me, a pleasant encouraging coach.
Dear Carol and family,
We were saddened to hear of John’s passing. We send our sincere sympathy at this sad time.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
May his treasured memories be a Blessing which comforts you for a lifetime.
George and Nadene Hornibrook
So sorry to hear about him passing ,
RIP Mr Schmidt lets go play ball with those Haulers
Carol and Liz an the entire Schmidt family
Thinking of the fastball times still bring a smile to our face. Never a dull moment when he was around with that big infectious laugh.
May he rest in the peace of Christ and in your hearts forever ……. Lorne and Valerie
Aunt Carol and Family. My sincere condolences on the loss of your husband, father, grandfather. I’m thinking of you all during this difficult time ❤️
Bonnie Schmidt
Sorry for your loss Carol and family. I remember babysitting all 6 kids.
Liz and family so sorry for your loss our deepest condolences. God be with you all.
Liz, Carol and family. John was truly one of a kind—a man with a larger-than-life personality who always brought laughter wherever he went. His humour, kindness, and strength left a lasting impact on everyone who knew him. So sorry for your loss.
Our sincere sympathy Carol and to all of your family. Many good times shared with my parents. May all your sweet memories be of some comfort at this difficult time. Keeping you in our thoughts and prayers.
My sincere sympathy goes out to you Carol and your entire family in the loss of your beloved John. He was a friend to all who knew him and he will be dearly missed. Rest Peacefully John.
So sorry to hear of your Dads passing . Condolences to the family .
My deepest condolences to all the Schmidt family. John was a great friend and neighbour and a lot of good times were had in Sherbrooke …He will be sadly missed…Love to all the family
I am so sad to hear of Johns passing.. I will always remember John (and his entire family) for the support they showed to my mom over the years!! John had the biggest heart and I will always think wonderful thought about him. Sorry to the whole family for your loss
Our love and condolences to you Carol and your family. John was always there with a smile and a helping hand. He was loved and respected by everyone.
Sending so much love and light to the family. We are so sorry to hear of this wonderful man’s passing.
Our deepest and sincerest condolences,
Penni and Garratt Court
Carol – my sincere condolences to you and your family
Carol and family…So Sorry for your loss, John loved his family and spoke of you all often. He will be sadly missed at Wed. brunch.
To Carol and all the extended family so sorry for your loss please know you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Carol I’m sorry for the loss of your best friend, companion and love of your life.
Johnny, Angela, Debbie, Donna and Liz thinking of you and hope you treasure the memories. I remember John’s laugh and of course his roar. Condolences to you all and your families.
John was an amazing person and this is an incredible loss for the whole family. We are thinking of everyone and grieving with you. So many memories…especially the after-parties at the Schmidt home following baseball games. It is our prayer that God will comfort your hearts as you come to terms with this difficult loss. Love to all.
My deepest sympathy.
Growing up as neighbours and friends, I am very sad to hear of John’s passing. To Carol and all the kids, all my love and best wishes during this difficult time.
Carol and family with great sadness that we will miss John. What a wonderful family you two have raised our deepest sympathy and prayers are with you and the family love always Roger and Diane Brady and family.
My sympathies to my Dearest Auntie Carol and all my Schmidt cousins and their families. Uncle John and Aunt Carol always opened their hearts and home to us and gave us and some Of our own kids beautiful memories at “the farm” horse Rides, reunions and the tractor and wagon rides to the beach will forever be remembered.
Uncle John yelling for us kids to do this or that in his booming voice was so commanding, and then, he would
Laugh and have some story or fun thing he sent us to do. Much love.
Sending our condolences to Carol & family.
My deepest sympathies for Carol and family enjoyed our ball playing days. No matter what you did with John you knew you were going to have a lot of fun. Rest in peace John you were a great friend.
To the Schmidt family, I extend my sincere sympathy for your loss. As a child growing up on the farm, we were next-door neighbors. John was just always around, hanging out with my brother, Roger and constantly teasing my sister, Glenna and me. He was such a jovial guy with that booming, infectious laughter of his. John was also a really good neighbor. Many fond memories.
My sincere and deepest sympathies to the entire family.
Our sincere condolences to Carol and family. Thinking of you all at this sad time. Remember all the beautiful memories John has given you. RIP John. ❤️
Sending my condolences & big hugs to the entire Schmidt family. I have many fond memories of Mr. Schmidt who had the difficult task of being my maintenance manager at Rock Point Provincial Park, where I worked as a high school summer job. He would tell me I was killing him slowly with each electrical cord in the camp ground I cut in half with the riding lawn mower, but he soon just started carrying spares with him making his life a bit easier. He was a great boss who was always witty, supportive with a “roaring voice” that made me laugh whether I was working with him or just hanging out with his kids!! Rest in Peacefully – you deserve it. I’m sorry I happen to be away for the visitation, but you all will be in my thoughts. ❤️
Sincere condolences to Carol and all the Schmidt family.
Such fond memories with everyone and baseball
May your memories bring you all comfort as you continue to live on without this great force in your life
May it also bring you comfort to know that he will be remembered so fondly by so many
Sincerely Susan
So very sorry for your loss.
I’m so sorry for your loss John was an awesome man and I had the pleasure of knowing him. My condolences to all.
Sending our deepest condolences to you and your family during this difficult time. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. ❤️
Very sorry for your loss.
John worked on our cars in his shop back in the day. From time to time small mishaps would happen & one time while working replacing a gas tank and using a torch almost burnt up the shop. Good memories.
RIP John.
Dear Carol and family,
We are so sorry for your loss.
Keeping everyone in our thoughts & prayers.
My sincere condolences
Dear Carol
Thoughts, love and prayers with your loss.
John, a man of family, community and faith. He will be missed by many.
Your family and memories will give comfort.
Mike and Penny
When I was growing up in the Peter and Susan Dyck family, as kids, we were often together with the Schmidt clan, either horseback riding around the Johnny Schmidt farm and surrounding area, or hauling in hay. Then the fun part, swimming in Lake Erie just across the field from John and Carol’s house, in the dark, after a sweating day of haying, (in the nude!!). Yes, we all had fun. At that time, John Jr. was a bit young but he always wanted to be with the big guys. I guess he achieved that stature quite quickly as a teen. 🙂 John Sr. was always helping someone out in the Dunnville Mennonite church family and we loved him for that servant attitude. And now he has got a fantastic singing (hahaha) voice in the Lord’s presence. Praise God. And sweet sweet Carol, we hope that you can bask in all these neat memories and say, “well my Johnny, you done good by me. Enjoy your new home. We’ll all miss you but see you around sometime soon. Love Carol”. I wish we could be with you and your family these next couple of days, but this letter to you and your family will have to suffice. I’m giving you a virtual 🤗 hug and may you stay strong and faithful to the end.
Rob Dyck.
PS. Call any time, John Jr or Carol. Love to chat sometime.
Hart Funeral home, pls pass on my phone number xxx-322-6868
So sorry for the loss of your patriarch. I was familiar with him from being around Dunnville and met him a few times from hanging around as a kid. It was clear how much you all meant to him.
Dear Schmidt Clan,
Our deepest sympathy to you all as you grieve the loss of your beloved Patriarch! Uncle John will be missed by all!!
Carol and your entire family Jim and I are so very sorry for your loss. John was a wonderful friend and we will always treasure our memories of him and good times.R.I.P. John
Carol and Family
We have many fond memories of the Schmidt reunions with devotionals, games and excellent food.
It was good to get to know you, so much fun and the noise level would have topped 100 on the decibal scale.
Now, we pray that you will continue on through this joyous and grieving period and remember the dear
John you all loved.
So sorry for your loss our condolences to all his family and friends.
Our deepest sympathies to Carol and family. Remembering the good time baseball days.
We are so sorry for your family’s loss! We will be praying for you at this time, from the Pyle’s.
Big hug. You are in my thoughts with deepest condolences. I have many childhood memories with John and the Schmidt family. John will always be remembered for his electric laugh
Sissy and Ken Martin
So very sorry. Sending love and hugs.
Carol and family…very sorry to hear of Johns passing. Our young kids growing up knew him as “John the water man”. Loved his unique laugh and great sense of humour. Was a hard worker and raised a great bunch of kids. Our condolences to all.
I am so sorry to hear of your loss, Carol.
I will be thinking of you in these coming days.
Take care.
Carol and Family
Thought and prays are with you and your family at this time so sorry for your lost. John was an old time friend we will always treasure the memories of him and the good “old” days.
Woody and Family