Dean Allen Schmitz

Dean Allen Schmitz, age 60, died peacefully at his home, Sunday, August 29, 2010. He was born July 23, 1950, in Gilbertsville, Iowa and resided in Houston since 1978. He was a talented designer and artist of beautiful things including jewelry, ironworks and furniture. Dean loved the theatre, fine wine, good books and great artwork.

He is preceded in death by his mother, Blanche Schmitz; brothers, Lee Schmitz and Roy Schmitz; nephew, Joshua Schmitz; and his mother-in-law, Rosalie Bonno Benestante.

Dean is survived by his wife of 30 years, Rose Benestante Schmitz. She will remember him with love and gratitude , as a spiritual person who was a strong constant source of stability in her life. They were business partners as well as partners in life.

He is also survived by other loving relatives that include his father, Bernard Schmitz; brothers, Jerry Schmitz and John Schmitz and his wife Wendy; sisters, Jane Brokel and her husband Dave, Sue Chizek and her husband Jim, Judy Schmitz and Deb Schmitz; sisters-in-law, Evie Schmitz and Cheryl Schmitz; nieces, Beth Schmitz, Katie Schmitz, Megan Chizek, Melissa Schmitz, Sarah Schmitz, Karen Schmitz, and Brooke Benestante; nephews, Nicholas Schmitz, Joe Schmitz, Luke Schmitz, Brian Brokel, Dustin Brokel, and Matthew Chizek; father-in-law, Sam Benestante; brother-in-law, Michael Benestante; sisters-in law, Tricia Bravenec and her husband Sam and Gina Benestante-Heidemann and her husband David, as well as many friends whom he loved.

Dean served in the U.S. Army from 1969-1975 as a K-9 Sentry Dog Handler Unit Military Police. His love of animals continued throughout his life and he was totally devoted to his cherished pet and companion, Happy Fredrick Schmitz.

While in the Army, he received the National Defense Service Medal and Good Conduct Medal and he was an Expert Sharpshooter. Dean was an Accountant and Licensed Cosmetologist.

Pallbearers are Jerry Schmitz, John Schmitz, Jim Chizek, Nick Schmitz, Mike Benestante, Sam Bravenec, David Heidemann, Reyes Cruz, Raul Guzman, and Mark Fontenot.

Visitation will be from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Thursday, September 2, 2010, with a Rosary beginning at 7:30 p.m., at Earthman Bellaire Funeral Home, 6700 Ferris, Bellaire. The Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m., Friday, September 3, 2010, at Holy Ghost Catholic Church, 6921 Chetwood, Houston Texas, 77081. Rite of Committal will follow at Forest Park Westheimer Cemetery, 12800 Westheimer Rd, Houston, Texas.