Albert (“Bert”) D. Schmitz, age 94. passed on June17, 2017. He was born in Fort Recovery, Ohio, to the late George C. and Clara C. (nee Metzner) Schmitz. He is survived by daughter Cathy (Thomas) Travers of Naples, FL, son Fr. Robert Schmitz of Cincinnati, daughter Janice Schmitz of Naples, FL, son Joseph (Nancy) Schmitz of Strongsville, OH, daughter Amy Zanzig of Missoula, MT, grandsons Joshua (Teresa) Schmitz of Tampa, FL, Brian (Jessica) Travers of Miami, FL, Nathan (Wendy) Schmitz of Reston, VA, Zane Zanzig of Missoula, MT, seven great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Bert was preceded in death by his loving wife of 63 years, Norma J. (nee Vander Horst), his parents, his brother Edward, sister Ruth Stoddard and husband William, sister Jeanette Geer and husband William, sister Bernice (“Ben”) Vander Horst and husband Donald, and sister Rosanne (Rosie) Garman and husband James. Bert was also preceded in death by Norma’s brother Robert (“Red”) Vander Horst, who perished in battle in World War II, and by sisters and Marilyn (Paul) Monroe and Shirley (Richard) Simon.

Bert graduated from Immaculate Conception High School in Celina, Ohio, in 1941 and proudly served his country the next four years in the U.S. Marine Corps, acting as a flight engineer on C-47 transport planes in the Pacific theatre during World War II. He attended the Ohio State University and thereafter embarked on a 30 year career in the food service industry, which included serving as President and General Manager of Automatic Vending Enterprises, Regional Manager of ARA Food Services, and Owner and General Manager of the Stockyards Inn (1969 - 1979). He started the Kittyhawk Golf Course restaurant for the city of Dayton.

Bert and Norma traveled extensively and greatly enjoyed hosting family get-togethers at beautiful locations. Bert loved sports and was an avid fisherman and golfer. He was a past member of Miami Valley Golf Club, the Dayton Agonis Club, Spring Run Farms, a fishing club near Dayton, and the Ocean Reef Club in the Florida keys. Bert was a longtime member of the Ohio State University Alumni Association and a passionate Buckeye football season ticket holder for over 65 years.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday June 22, at 10:30am, at St. Rita’s Catholic Church, 5401 N. Main Street, Dayton, OH. 45415, Fr. Dennis Calyor, celebrant. Family will receive friends at the church beginning at 9:00am. A private interment will be held at a later time. Immediately after Mass, a reception will be held at St. Rita’s Catholic Church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Ohio State Fund for Scholarships at give.osu.edu or to Vitas Community Connection at www.vitascommunityconnection.org. Or just plant a tree. Condolences may be expressed at www.bakerhazelsnider.com.

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