Robert "Smitty" E. Schmidt

Robert "Smitty" E. Schmidt, 95, of Centralia, passed away Saturday, December 8, 2018 at his home surrounded by his family. He was born November 8, 1923 in Collinsville, son of Edward Schmidt and Myrtle (Wimberly) Schmidt. He married Bernice Marie (Isaak) Schmidt on August 6, 1949 and she survives in Centralia. In addition to his wife of 69 years, Bernice Schmidt of Centralia, Bob is also survived by three daughters: Susan Minor and husband Mike of Walnut Hill, Mary Jo May of Centralia, and Lisa Watson and husband Marty of Iuka; a son-in-law: Russ Fletcher of Leander, TX; seven grandchildren: Jennifer Foronato and husband Anthony of Leander, TX, Sarah Berger and husband Brett of Aviston, Amy Willems and husband Joe of Lake St. Louis, MO, Donnie May and wife Laura of Chesterfield, MO, Derek May of St. Louis, MO, Jessica Koch and husband Jerry of Dix, and Stephanie Remer and husband Dave of Woodlawn; thirteen great-grandchildren: Romano and Benjamin Foronato of Leander, TX, Sophia and Madelyn Willems of Lake St. Louis, MO, Charlotte and Austin May of Chesterfield, MO, Emylee Sanders and husband Jordan of Woodlawn, Allyssa Doza of Dix, Jadehn Koch of Centralia, Jera Koch and daughter Meila of Breese, and Taylor, James and Kailee Remer all of Woodlawn; several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, a daughter: Nancy Fletcher, a grandson: Michael Minor, two brothers: Thurmond Schmidt and Edmond Schmidt, and three sisters: Ruth Herst, Maxine Scheurich, and Alice Schmidt. Bob served in the Navy Air Corp as a Pilot from 1943 - 1947. In 1949, Bob and his wife Bernice moved to Centralia after graduating from Southern Illinois University Carbondale. He started his teaching career in 1949 at Schiller School, where he taught history, health and science to the upper grades. He became the head coach of the Centralia Tiger's basketball team in 1961 after he started teaching Industrial Arts at Irving School. Bob taught and coached basketball and track for 33 years in Centralia. He was named "Coach of the Year" by the IBCA in 1978, where he had accomplished 317 games won, 131 lost and 6 State Championships. In 1993 he was inducted into the Centralia Sports Hall of Fame. He worked at the Centralia swimming pool as a lifeguard and eventually was assigned as the manager for 25 summers. While working at the pool, he also assisted Howard Cooksey and Simon Franklin, Chief of Police, at the Teen Town Dances. Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday, December 14, 2018 at 2:00 PM at St. Mary Catholic Church in Centralia with Monsignor David Darin and Father Dale Maxfield officiating. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery in Centralia. Military Honors will be accorded at the grave site by the American Legion Post 446 and V.F.W. Post 2055. Visitation will be held Friday morning from 11:00 AM to 1:30 PM at the Sutherland-Garnier Funeral Home in Centralia. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Mary School and will be accepted at the Sutherland-Garnier Funeral Home at 235 North Sycamore Street Centralia, Illinois 62801, (618)532-3523, who is honored to be of service to the Schmidt Family. Online condolences may be made to the family by visiting www.sutherlandfuneralhome.com

Robert "Smitty" E. Schmidt

November 8, 1923 - December 8, 2018