Donald W. Schmitz

Donald W. Schmitz, 89, passed away on 21 August 2022 at his home in Carlyle. He was born in
Carlyle, IL on 13 August 1933, the son of Alfred B. and Wilma A. Schmitz. He married Mary Ann
Benhoff on 22 April 1953, and she preceded him in death on 2 October 2017.

Donald is survived by his children David A. (Mary Jo) Schmitz of Highlands Ranch, CO; Cindy A.
Feldmann of Aviston, IL; and Kurt A. (Jackie) Schmitz of Aviston, IL; and loving partner Adadell
Sheathelm in Carlyle. He loved each of his nine grandchildren, who also survive: Erin (Eric) Perry
of Nashville, TN; Adam (Zoé) Schmitz of Denver, CO; Megan (Brandon) Holtmann of Aviston;
Beth (Nick) Grapperhaus of Denver, CO; Benjamin Feldmann of St. Louis, MO; Zachary (Jess)
Schmitz of Denver, CO; Sam Schmitz (special friend, Carmen Drees), Nicholas Schmitz, and
Hannah Schmitz all of Aviston, IL; and his great grandchildren Alan, Madeline and Noah Perry;
Zoey and Olivia Holtmann; and Payton Grapperhaus. Don was also anticipating the arrival of
two additional great grandchildren. He is survived by one sister, Dorothy Stanfa of Highland, IL;
sister-in-law Ruth Schmitz of South Bend, IN, as well as many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by his son Gary, brother Roger,
and sister Darlene DeAmico.

Mr. Schmitz was an Army veteran, a past President of the Carlyle Jaycees, a lifetime member of
the Knights of Columbus, past President of the Mater Dei School Board, a Mater Dei Hall of
Honor inductee, a former Carlyle Alderman, and Mayor of Carlyle from 1995 to 2005.
He retired after 31 years of service with the US Army Aviation Command. During the last nine
years of his career, he served as the Director of Acquisition, responsible for the management
and direction of the helicopter procurement program for all U.S. military services and those
sold or supplied to our military allies.

After retirement he enjoyed remodeling old houses. He loved his many grandchildren and great
grandchildren, tending to his flowers and gardens and raising Monarch butterflies. He owned
and operated a number of storage units in Carlyle.

Per Don’s wishes, his body has been donated to the Washington University School of Medicine
for the advancement of science.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 3 p.m. on 14 October 2022, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Carlyle.

In lieu of flowers, memorials made in memory of Don are suggested to Mater Dei Catholic High School or the Mater Dei Foundation in Breese, IL.