John M. Schmitt, age 73, of Concordia, KS, passed away on Sunday, November 27, 2022 at North Central Kansas Medical Center, Concordia, KS. He was born on December 2, 1948 in Concordia, KS to Arthur F. & Mary A. (Thompson) Schmitt.
John graduated in 1967 from Notre Dame Catholic High School, Concordia. During his senior year, John won a state title in the low hurdles and continued his track career at Benedictine College and again at Cloud County Community College. He was instrumental in starting the track club at Benedictine College.
He married Mary A. Betzen on May 22, 1971 at St. Mark’s Catholic Church, St. Mark’s, KS.
John worked in the family business at Schmitt’s Clothing and later was a truck driver for Christensen Oil and later Myers Trucking until his retirement in 2017.
He was a member of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, Concordia and a former Knights of Columbus member. He was active in the Jaycees where he was a past President and District officer. He was a former Scoutmaster for Troop 32 and former member of the Elks club.
John is survived by his wife, Mary, Concordia; his children, Theodore “Ted” Schmitt (Virginia), Salina, Brian Schmitt (Anna Stone), Tampa, FL, Sarah Reed (Shawn), Concordia, Marsha Schmitt Fulton (Casey), Topeka, Peter Schmitt (Sarah), Lawrence, Carl Schmitt, Lawrence & Nicholas Schmitt, Lawrence; 11 grandchildren; brother, Matt Schmitt (Edna), Beatrice, NE & a sister, Ann Sharpe (Art), Albuquerque, NM and all of Mary’s family, including several brothers and sisters in law, nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents & a daughter, Samantha Schmitt.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 2 pm, Saturday, December 3, 2022 at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, Concordia with Fr. David Metz officiating. Cremation will follow the services and family burial of the cremains will be in the Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Concordia at a later date. Visitation will be Friday, December 2, 2022 from 1-8 pm, family will greet friends from 4:30-8 pm with a Rosary at 5:30 pm all at Chaput-Buoy Funeral Home, Concordia. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to assist with funeral expenses in care of the funeral home. For online condolences, please visit www.chaputbuoy.com.
