Joseph William Schmitz, Sr., 91, of Westminster, died Saturday, February 25, 2017 at his home from an extended illness.
Born October 23, 1925 in Baltimore, he was the son of the late Lawrence Joseph and Hattie Marie Doran Schmitz. He was the husband of Phyllis Sprock Schmitz. They had been married for 72 years.
He was a retired Baltimore City Plumbing Inspector. He was also a U.S. Navy Veteran serving during World War II. Joe was involved with many forms of transportation including the railroad and commercial buses. He also was a private airplane pilot and certified commercial aviation instructor. For years he flew the News American and Baltimore Sun Papers to Ocean City, MD for the weekend editions. He was also a member of the Westminster VFW Post #467 and St. John’s Catholic Church. He was the last of his immediate family.
In addition to his wife he is survived by sons and daughters-in-law Joseph W. Schmitz, Jr. and Barbara Anne, John Schmitz, Sr and Barbara Diane and daughter and son-in-law Debbie Schapiro and Mark. He is also survived by grandchildren John Schmitz Jr & wife Chrissy, Amy West & husband Jeff, Sherri Palmer & husband Randy, Theresa Kratochvil & husband Mike,
Michael Schmitz & wife Melanie, Nicole Schapiro, Kelsie Schapiro,
John Williams & wife Joanne, great grandchildren Hannah & Victoria Schmitz, Rachel & Sean Palmer, and Paul & Taylor Schmitz
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Tuesday, 11:00 AM at the St. John’s Catholic Church, 43 Monroe Street, Westminster, MD 21157. Interment will be in Lake View Memorial Gardens with military honors. The family will receive at the Jeffrey N. Zumbrun Funeral Home, 6028 Sykesville Road, Eldersburg 5-8 PM. Sympathies may be expressed in the form of contributions to Carroll Dove House, 292 Stoner Avenue, Westminster, MD 21157.
Online condolences may be made to www.jnzumbrunfuneralhome.com
Service Information
Visitation
Monday
February 27, 20175:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Jeffrey N. Zumbrun Funeral Home
6028 Sykesville Road
Eldersburg, Maryland 21784
Funeral Service
Tuesday
February 28, 201711:00 AM
St. John's Catholic Church
43 Monroe Street
Westminster, Maryland 21157