ESCANABA - Robert F. Schmit, 94, of 1618 18th Ave S., Escanaba, died on Friday, June 29, 2012, at Northwoods Assisted Living.
He was born on March 18, 1918, in Escanaba, son of William and Gladys (Isaacson) Schmit, who preceded him in death.
He was married to the former Anne Michaud of Escanaba on Nov. 6, 1948, in St. Joseph Church. Anne preceded him death on April 20, 1986.
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Robert F. Schmit
Mr. Schmit is survived by two daughters, Mary Anne (Raymond) McInerny of New Berlin, Wis., and their children, Kathleen (Frank) Witkowski, Elizabeth McInerny, and Thomas McInerny; great-granddaughter, Madeline Witkowski; and Margaret (Randall) Lancour of Ford River and their children, Ryan J. (Megan) Lancour and Lindsey K. (Daniel) Brede; great-grandchildren, Sydney, Jacob and Ethan Brede, and Dominic and Colin Lancour.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Anne; brothers, William Schmit and Roy "Bud" Schmit.
He was a graduate of the Escanaba High School class of 1936 and the University of Notre Dame, where he graduated "Cum Laude" with a B.S. degree from the College of Commerce in 1940.
Mr. Schmit was employed by Wausau Insurance Co., where he served as an underwriter in Milwaukee and Chicago and subsequently as account representative in the Escanaba area until 1984 and received many awards for his achievements as a Wausau representative.
He served three years in the U.S. Army Signal Corps during World War II as a radar technician and earned the Victory Medal, American Theater Ribbon, European African Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon with four bronze stars, four overseas service bars, one service strip and Good Conduct Medal while engaged in the European Theatre, Normandy and Central Europe.
Mr. Schmit was a member of St. Joseph and St. Patrick's Parish, the Escanaba City Band for 73 years, Serra Club, Knights of Columbus, Wausau Insurance Quarter Century Club, a past member of the Delta Area Chamber of Commerce and Ford River Lions Club (a charter member).
He enjoyed biking, square dancing, downhill and cross country skiing, water skiing, fishing, sail boating, swimming and hunting.
Friends may call at the Crawford Funeral Home from 2 to 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 5, with the Knights of Columbus to recite the rosary at 3 p.m. The Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 6 p.m. at St. Joseph and St. Patrick's Church with Rev. Eric Olson officiating. A meal will follow in the church hall.
Burial will be held on Friday at 10 a.m. with the Delta County Veterans Council providing military rites at Holy Cross Cemetery.
Memorials may be directed to Holy Name School or St. Joseph and St. Patrick's Elevator Fund. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.