Gary Charles Schmitz, age 88, a former resident of the Village of Cleveland, passed away Wednesday, December 4, 2025. He was born August 24, 1937 to David and Olga (Twidt) Schmitz in the Village of Nevis, Minnesota. He was a graduate of Nevis High School, where he was a member of the basketball team. He served in the United States Marine Corps as a military policeman at 29 Palms California. He also worked at the Nevis Post Office and was owner of Gary’s Café. He served as treasurer of the Nevis Civic and Commerce and was the Justice of Peace for the Village of Nevis.
He spent 14 years in Michigan, where he worked with the Equifax Company in Houghton, Michigan. He was active in community affairs, as Past President of Houghton-Hancock Jaycees and State Vice President of the Michigan Jaycees. He was a member of the Elks in Hancock and Lions Club in Dollar Bay. He coached the Dollar Bay Little League baseball team for 13 years, coaching several championship teams of which his two sons played on.
Gary then moved to Wisconsin to work for the Milwaukee Journal Company, and later Head Coach of the Lakeland College baseball team. He retired as Production Plant Coordinator of RCS in Sheboygan. He was the manager of Cleveland Heights Mobile Home Community for 33 years. He was again active in the community serving 12 years on the Cleveland Village Board, 8 years as Village President. He was a member of the Cleveland Chamber of Commerce and Cleveland Athletic Club. He was a past State President and National Vice President of the Travelers Protective Association, where he was very active in child safety programs and the Scholarship Trust for Hearing Impaired. Gary was also a member of American Legion Post 477.
Gary was an avid baseball fan, the Milwaukee Brewers and Minnesota Twins being his favorite teams. He was a member of the National Horseshoe Pitching Association and won several trophies at the Wisconsin State and NHPA World Tournaments.
He cherished the visits from his great-grandchildren. The visits always ended with a big hug and Great-Grandpa giving the kids a candy kiss. He was proud to have visited Washington D.C. on the Old Glory Honor Flight in June 2023 while being accompanied by his son David as his chaperone.
Gary is survived by his children, David Schmitz (Lori) of Cleveland, WI, Shirley Schmitz (Ken Peszynski) of Ontonagon, MI, and Mark Schmitz of Calumet, MI. He is further survived by his grandchildren: Ryan Schmitz (Andrea) of Sheboygan, WI, April Fiala (Eric) of Howards Grove, WI, Stuart Schramm of Bloomington, MN, Phillip Schramm of Minneapolis, MN, and Callie Schmitz and Drake Schmitz of Laurium, MI; Great-grandchildren Elizabeth and Hallie Schmitz, Jacob and Isaac Fiala, and Leonardo Schramm and Octavia Schmitz; his brothers Dean (Diane) Schmitz of Mount Clemens, MI, and Floyd (Nancy) Schmitz of Rogersville, MO, as well as other nieces, nephews, step-children and step-grandchildren.
Gary was preceded in death by his parents and special friend and companion Carol Niven.
Per Gary’s wishes there will be no service after cremation. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.
Memorials are appreciated in Gary’s name to Travelers Protective Association Scholarship for the Hearing Impaired, which can be accessed online at tpahq.org, and Old Glory Honor Flight at https://www.oldgloryhonorflight.org/support/financial-support/.
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Gary’s family wishes to extend a special thank you to the staff of Lakehouse Manitowoc and Sharon S. Richardson Community Hospice for their care and compassion.
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