Raymond D. "Butch" Schmidt, 79, of East Peoria, passed away at 10:20am Friday, May 10, 2019 at OSF Richard L. Owens Hospice Home in Peoria. After a long, hard-fought battle with Alzheimer's, he went peacefully in his sleep surrounded by his family.
He was born October 21, 1939 in Peoria to Cyrinus and Loretta Melcher Schmidt. Butch married the love of his life, Carol Washburn on February 24, 1962 in Peoria.
He was drafted during the Vietnam war and served for two years. Later he worked for Stone Wheel, Inc. in Milwaukee, and retired after 26 years. Dad had a huge heart that always put everyone else ahead of himself. He was a big man, with a big toothy smile and gave big "all-in" hugs every single time he saw you. He was always the first one with a joke and he loved to laugh. We all agree, some of his favorite times in his life were spent on the beach with his butt in the sand and his feet in the water watching the sunset over the gulf. He was a lifelong Bears fan but he really just loved football and would even root for the Packers occasionally. He loved to have a beer with his friends and family, and if you came to his house, you could count on Butch making sure you had everything you needed, including a drink in your hand. Important to him, were often the simple things, like spending time tinkering in his shop and working around the house and yard with his wife, whom he adored. What he loved most though, was his family. The time he spent with them was his biggest joy, and we all knew it.
Surviving is his wife, Carol of East Peoria; children, Todd (Sheila) Schmidt of Dubuque, IA and Tracey (Zachary) Fairfield of Washington; grandchildren, Hailey (Paul) Dye, Holden and Olivia Fairfield, and Julia, Carter, and Megan Schmidt; great-grandson, Carson Dale Dye; sister, Marlene Clark; many nieces and nephews; and his dog, Retta Belle.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and two siblings, Don Schmidt and Pat Closen. Also, in-laws Ray and Vivian Washburn and Emiel and Thelma Staes as well as his Brothers in-law Richard Closen and Eddie Clark.
Deiters Funeral Home and Crematory in Washington is assisting the family with cremation arrangements. The family would like to thank OSF Richard L. Owens Hospice Home for taking such good care of Butch. Special thanks to Dr. Deters, Jan, Christine and Tom for reminding us there are folks out there who are special in this world, and always making Butch and his family feel cared for.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made by mail to OSF Richard L. Owens Hospice Home or to the Alzheimer's Association Peoria, IL or by using the links below:
Hospice Home: https://www.osfhealthcarefoundation.org/hospice-home-donation-form/
Alzheimer's Association: https://act.alz.org/site/Donation2?df_id=32112&32112.donation=form1&_ga=2.200916970.571306703.1557757860-658096597.1557757860&utm_expid=.fZk05_TmTcuaxTH32oY6gg.0&utm_referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.alz.org%2Fillinois
He was born October 21, 1939 in Peoria to Cyrinus and Loretta Melcher Schmidt. Butch married the love of his life, Carol Washburn on February 24, 1962 in Peoria.
He was drafted during the Vietnam war and served for two years. Later he worked for Stone Wheel, Inc. in Milwaukee, and retired after 26 years. Dad had a huge heart that always put everyone else ahead of himself. He was a big man, with a big toothy smile and gave big "all-in" hugs every single time he saw you. He was always the first one with a joke and he loved to laugh. We all agree, some of his favorite times in his life were spent on the beach with his butt in the sand and his feet in the water watching the sunset over the gulf. He was a lifelong Bears fan but he really just loved football and would even root for the Packers occasionally. He loved to have a beer with his friends and family, and if you came to his house, you could count on Butch making sure you had everything you needed, including a drink in your hand. Important to him, were often the simple things, like spending time tinkering in his shop and working around the house and yard with his wife, whom he adored. What he loved most though, was his family. The time he spent with them was his biggest joy, and we all knew it.
Surviving is his wife, Carol of East Peoria; children, Todd (Sheila) Schmidt of Dubuque, IA and Tracey (Zachary) Fairfield of Washington; grandchildren, Hailey (Paul) Dye, Holden and Olivia Fairfield, and Julia, Carter, and Megan Schmidt; great-grandson, Carson Dale Dye; sister, Marlene Clark; many nieces and nephews; and his dog, Retta Belle.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and two siblings, Don Schmidt and Pat Closen. Also, in-laws Ray and Vivian Washburn and Emiel and Thelma Staes as well as his Brothers in-law Richard Closen and Eddie Clark.
Deiters Funeral Home and Crematory in Washington is assisting the family with cremation arrangements. The family would like to thank OSF Richard L. Owens Hospice Home for taking such good care of Butch. Special thanks to Dr. Deters, Jan, Christine and Tom for reminding us there are folks out there who are special in this world, and always making Butch and his family feel cared for.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made by mail to OSF Richard L. Owens Hospice Home or to the Alzheimer's Association Peoria, IL or by using the links below:
Hospice Home: https://www.osfhealthcarefoundation.org/hospice-home-donation-form/
Alzheimer's Association: https://act.alz.org/site/Donation2?df_id=32112&32112.donation=form1&_ga=2.200916970.571306703.1557757860-658096597.1557757860&utm_expid=.fZk05_TmTcuaxTH32oY6gg.0&utm_referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.alz.org%2Fillinois
Raymond D. "Butch" Schmidt, 79, of East Peoria, passed away at 10:20am Friday, May 10, 2019 at OSF Richard L. Owens Hospice Home in Peoria. After a long, hard-fought battle with Alzheimer's, he went peacefully in his sleep surrounded by his family.
He was born October 21, 1939 in Peoria to Cyrinus and Loretta Melcher Schmidt. Butch married the love of his life, Carol Washburn on February 24, 1962 in Peoria.
He was drafted during the Vietnam war and served for two years. Later he worked for Stone Wheel, Inc. in Milwaukee, and retired after 26 years. Dad had a huge heart that always put everyone else ahead of himself. He was a big man, with a big toothy smile and gave big "all-in" hugs every single time he saw you. He was always the first one with a joke and he loved to laugh. We all agree, some of his favorite times in his life were spent on the beach with his butt in the sand and his feet in the water watching the sunset over the gulf. He was a lifelong Bears fan but he really just loved football and would even root for the Packers occasionally. He loved to have a beer with his friends and family, and if you came to his house, you could count on Butch making sure you had everything you needed, including a drink in your hand. Important to him, were often the simple things, like spending time tinkering in his shop and working around the house and yard with his wife, whom he adored. What he loved most though, was his family. The time he spent with them was his biggest joy, and we all knew it.
Surviving is his wife, Carol of East Peoria; children, Todd (Sheila) Schmidt of Dubuque, IA and Tracey (Zachary) Fairfield of Washington; grandchildren, Hailey (Paul) Dye, Holden and Olivia Fairfield, and Julia, Carter, and Megan Schmidt; great-grandson, Carson Dale Dye; sister, Marlene Clark; many nieces and nephews; and his dog, Retta Belle.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and two siblings, Don Schmidt and Pat Closen. Also, in-laws Ray and Vivian Washburn and Emiel and Thelma Staes as well as his Brothers in-law Richard Closen and Eddie Clark.
Deiters Funeral Home and Crematory in Washington is assisting the family with cremation arrangements. The family would like to thank OSF Richard L. Owens Hospice Home for taking such good care of Butch. Special thanks to Dr. Deters, Jan, Christine and Tom for reminding us there are folks out there who are special in this world, and always making Butch and his family feel cared for.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made by mail to OSF Richard L. Owens Hospice Home or to the Alzheimer's Association Peoria, IL or by using the links below:
Hospice Home: https://www.osfhealthcarefoundation.org/hospice-home-donation-form/
Alzheimer's Association: https://act.alz.org/site/Donation2?df_id=32112&32112.donation=form1&_ga=2.200916970.571306703.1557757860-658096597.1557757860&utm_expid=.fZk05_TmTcuaxTH32oY6gg.0&utm_referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.alz.org%2Fillinois
He was born October 21, 1939 in Peoria to Cyrinus and Loretta Melcher Schmidt. Butch married the love of his life, Carol Washburn on February 24, 1962 in Peoria.
He was drafted during the Vietnam war and served for two years. Later he worked for Stone Wheel, Inc. in Milwaukee, and retired after 26 years. Dad had a huge heart that always put everyone else ahead of himself. He was a big man, with a big toothy smile and gave big "all-in" hugs every single time he saw you. He was always the first one with a joke and he loved to laugh. We all agree, some of his favorite times in his life were spent on the beach with his butt in the sand and his feet in the water watching the sunset over the gulf. He was a lifelong Bears fan but he really just loved football and would even root for the Packers occasionally. He loved to have a beer with his friends and family, and if you came to his house, you could count on Butch making sure you had everything you needed, including a drink in your hand. Important to him, were often the simple things, like spending time tinkering in his shop and working around the house and yard with his wife, whom he adored. What he loved most though, was his family. The time he spent with them was his biggest joy, and we all knew it.
Surviving is his wife, Carol of East Peoria; children, Todd (Sheila) Schmidt of Dubuque, IA and Tracey (Zachary) Fairfield of Washington; grandchildren, Hailey (Paul) Dye, Holden and Olivia Fairfield, and Julia, Carter, and Megan Schmidt; great-grandson, Carson Dale Dye; sister, Marlene Clark; many nieces and nephews; and his dog, Retta Belle.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and two siblings, Don Schmidt and Pat Closen. Also, in-laws Ray and Vivian Washburn and Emiel and Thelma Staes as well as his Brothers in-law Richard Closen and Eddie Clark.
Deiters Funeral Home and Crematory in Washington is assisting the family with cremation arrangements. The family would like to thank OSF Richard L. Owens Hospice Home for taking such good care of Butch. Special thanks to Dr. Deters, Jan, Christine and Tom for reminding us there are folks out there who are special in this world, and always making Butch and his family feel cared for.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made by mail to OSF Richard L. Owens Hospice Home or to the Alzheimer's Association Peoria, IL or by using the links below:
Hospice Home: https://www.osfhealthcarefoundation.org/hospice-home-donation-form/
Alzheimer's Association: https://act.alz.org/site/Donation2?df_id=32112&32112.donation=form1&_ga=2.200916970.571306703.1557757860-658096597.1557757860&utm_expid=.fZk05_TmTcuaxTH32oY6gg.0&utm_referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.alz.org%2Fillinois
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