Obituary of Frank J. Schmitt

Frank J. Schmitt 91 Frank John Schmitt, 91, devoted, beloved father and decorated World War II veteran passed away on January 16, 2016 of natural causes. He remained active until the last days of his life, raising hay and keeping chickens. Even at 90 he could be seen working in the hay field on hot summer days. Frank was one of 9 children born to Barbara Schmitt (nee Biro) and John Schmitt in North Philadelphia on August 29, 1924, and grew up in Atco, New Jersey. Between 1944 and 1945 he served his country with the 526 Engineer Light Platoon in the European Campaign. After the war Frank worked as an HVAC Mechanic for Honeywell Industries, and later as a federally employed Civil Engineer at McGuire Air Force Base and the 772 Radar Squadron on the Gibbsboro Air Force Base. Upon retirement he embarked upon the life a gentleman farmer raising sheep, hay crops, and maintaining a flock of chickens for egg sales on his 30 acre farm in Blue Anchor, New Jersey. In 1950 he married Jeanette Elizabeth Snyder of Berlin, NJ and they remained an adoring couple for the next 66 years. Frank was a devoted catholic and attended mass at St. Lucy’s parish in Blue Anchor, NJ, until its closing, and then St. Anthony’s parish in Waterford, NJ. Frank is survived by his wife Jeanette: sister Catherine Rebardo, children Peter Douglass Schmitt; Patricia Elizabeth Melly (Husband, Kevin); David Micheal Schmitt; and Martha Elizabeth Cox (Husband, George); and grandchildren: Elizabeth, Robert, Matthew, Michael, Laura, Devlin and Charlotte. In Lieu of Flowers the family requests donations be made to the Veterans Home in Vineland, NJ. Mass of Christian Burial will be held Thursday, January 21, 10:30am at St. Anthony's Church, 436 Pennington Ave., Waterford, NJ 08009, where Family and friends may call at 9:30am. Internment Gate of Heaven Cemetery.