Michael M. Schmitt, 73, of Jacksonville, Florida, passed away November 27, 2018. He was born in Clintonville, Wisconsin, on May 12, 1945. Mike graduated from Premontre High School in 1963 and later received an associate of science degrees from the University of Wisconsin and Alvin Community College in Texas.
He was married to Darlene M. Hatter on January 12, 2007.
Mike was a retired veteran of the U.S. Navy. For 10 years, he served as a deputy sheriff in Brazoria County near Houston, Texas. He worked in the security force for NASA near Houston and retired in 2007. Mike's true, lifelong passion was SCUBA diving. He managed and taught diving at dive shops on the South Pacific islands of Guam and Yap, as well as San Diego, Calif. He was a 40-year member of the Professional Association of Dive Instructors. Mike loved to swim and help people learn to love the water. He was easy-going and approachable, Mike never met a stranger.
He is survived by his wife; daughter, LeAnne Cortez; grandchildren, Macario, Zac, Noe, and Mallory; sisters, Georgiann Jelinski and Teri Steiner; brother, Roger Schmitt.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, December 14, 2018 with visitation 1-hour before the service at HARDAGE-GIDDENS FUNERAL HOME, 1701 Beach Boulevard, Jacksonville Beach, Florida. Inurnment with military honors rendered by the U.S. Navy at 2 pm at Jacksonville National Cemetery, 4083 Lannie Road, Jacksonville, Florida.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are preferred to Community Hospice and Palliative Care, 4266 Sunbeam Road, Jacksonville, Florida 32257.
