Jerome John "Jerry" Schmitt

Jerome John “Jerry” Schmitt, 68, passed away on Friday, July 24, 2015 from Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) at Pine Pointe Hospice surrounded by his family. The rosary will be held Friday, July 31 at 5 pm in St. Joseph’s Church, 830 Poplar St., Macon. The family will greet friends following the rosary in the Social Hall until 6:30 p.m. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, August 1 at noon at St. Joseph’s Church. Donations may be made to the National Prion Disease Surveillance Center to support research about CJD by phone at 216-368-4352 or https://securelb.imodules.com/s/1526/giving/giving.aspx?sid=1526&gid=1&pgid=390&cid=1006&muid=&dids=123&bledit=1, St. Joseph’s Church, or Pine Pointe Hospice.

Jerry was born September 30, 1946 to Mildred and Armin Schmitt in Washington, MO. He graduated from St. Francis Borgia High School, in Washington, where he lettered in basketball and football. After attending the seminary for two years, he moved on to Bellarmine University in Louisville, KY. He majored in Sociology and Psychology and graduated in 1970. There, he met Elaine, his soulmate, to whom he was married for 44 years.

An avid antique bottle and pottery enthusiast, Jerry was an early bottle digger in Louisville, KY and southern Indiana. That hobby opened up doors of friendship as the “Schmitt House Bottle Diggers” moved to Macon in 1977 with Brown and Williamson Tobacco Company. In November of 1990, he and Elaine turned their hobby into a viable business, opening Antiques at Bolingbroke, a venture in which they worked side-by-side for some 25 years.

Jerry was a wonderful father and teacher to his daughters Mandy and Jenna. He welcomed his sons-in-law, Sean and Robert, into the family with open arms. His 18-month-old grandson, Paul, has brought joy and laughter, especially to Jerry, with their shared love of fruit, animal sounds, and spending time together.

An active member of St. Joseph’s Church, Jerry headed the RCIA program, encouraging and instructing many in becoming Catholic. He also served as an adult acolyte, a Eucharistic Minister and was a member of the Knights of Columbus.

Growing up in Missouri, he loved fishing and hunting, especially for deer, rabbits, and squirrels with his Dad, uncles and cousins. Over time, he shared his love of the outdoors with his family and friends, especially his daughters’ friends, who were like his own children.

He loved to dance, especially at family weddings, treasuring his dances with his special Elaine, Mandy, Jenna, and his little grandson, Paul.

Jerry is survived by his wife, Elaine Reh Schmitt; daughter, Mandy (Sean) Mahoney and grandson Sean Paul Mahoney, Jr.; daughter, Jenna (Robert) Kisiah; brother David (Karla) Schmitt; sisters Donna Maune and Joyce (Glenn) Higgins; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Visit www.snowsmacon.com to express condolences.

Snow’s Memorial Chapel, Cherry Street has charge of arrangements.