Frederick J. Schmidt

Dr. Frederick John Schmidt, 83, of St. Joseph, went to meet his Lord & Savior on Tuesday, November 08, 2011, at Lakeland Regional Medical Center in St. Joseph. A Celebration of Life Eternal will be held 11:00 A.M. Friday at the First Church of God, 2627 Niles Ave., St. Joseph with Rev. Rick Blumenberg officiating. Graveside services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Saturday at Coopersville-Polkton Township Cemetery in Coopersville, Michigan. Friends may call from 5:00 until 8:00 P.M. Thursday at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society or the First Church of God, St. Joseph Endowment fund. Those wishing to sign Fred’s Guestbook online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Fred was born September 2, 1928, in Grand Rapids to Karl & Minnie (Ringold) Schmidt. He graduated from Coopersville High School in 1947, entered the United States Army to serve his country until 1949, and graduated from Calvin College in 1953. He also held degrees from Western Michigan University and Michigan State University. He received his Ed.D from Andrews University in 1980. On January 19, 1951, he married his high school sweetheart, the former Norma Jean Kirkbride in Coopersville. Fred’s life revolved around children and education. He served as a teacher and administrator in the Hudsonville, Coopersville and Allendale School Systems. He served as Superintendent for Cassopolis Public Schools from 1969-1972, and Lakeshore Public School beginning in 1972 and retiring in 1984. Following retirement, Fred was a Realtor with Meredith & Kamp Realtors, retiring in 1995. Fred was an active member of the First Church of God-St. Joseph, where he served as Sunday school teacher, Endowment Committee member, Life Group Leader and a member of the Men’s Chorus. He was a member & Past-President of the Lakeshore Rotary Club, member of the Southwest Michigan Car collectors, Berrien County Retired Teachers’ Association, a former Bible Study Fellowship leader, and a proud member of his breakfast fellowship group, the Royal Order of Raccoons. Fred was also the patriarch of the Oak Terrace neighborhood and knew all his neighbors. He was a proud owner of his 1930 Model A Ford which he entered in the Blossom Parade for the last 35 years, this year as Honorary Grand Marshall. In retirement, he and Norma Jean enjoyed traveling, enjoying their antique automobile and spending time with their grandchildren. Fred is survived by his wife of 60 years, Norma Jean; his son Schuyler (Cindy) Schmidt of Fishers, IN; two grandsons-Zach (Amanda) Schmidt of Oklahoma City, OK, Adam Schmidt of Fishers; his brother, Maurice Schmidt of Bellaire, MI; two sisters-his twin Florence “Pokey” (Roger) DeGraaf of Holland, Shirlee (Harry) Hofstra of Hudsonville and numerous nieces & nephews. He was preceded in death by brothers Ralph, Lawrence, Alex & Franklin Schmidt, sisters Mary Noe and Doris Mazurek, and one sister-in-law Evelyn (Franklin) Schmidt.