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Ammen Family Cremation & Funeral Care - Melbourne

Donald Peter Schmitt

August 22nd, 1935 - February 2nd, 2025

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Donald Peter Schmitt, 89, of Melbourne Beach, Florida, passed away peacefully on February 2, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. 

 

Don was born on August 22, 1935, in Illmo, Missouri, the eldest of five children of John and Pauline Schmitt. His father, who immigrated from Germany in 1929, met his mother in St. Louis, and together they raised their family in Scott City, Missouri. Don graduated from Illmo High School in 1953 and attended Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau. Don's education was briefly interrupted when he enlisted in the United States Navy, serving his country for one year. Don returned to complete his bachelor's degree in 1958. 

 

Don began his lifelong career in education as a middle school teacher in Park Forest, Illinois, where he taught for four years. He then served as principal of Beecher High School for two years, becoming one of the youngest principals in Illinois. It was during this time that he met the love of his life, Wilma Esther Sabo, at a Catholic Young Adults meeting while searching for someone to type his sports articles. They married on August 18, 1962, beginning a loving partnership that would span 62 years, initially living in locations in northern Illinois and Indiana for several years. 

 

After a successful period in educational sales, Don's dedication to education and growing family led him back to school administration. Don served as Director of Curriculum for Mascoutah School District in southern Illinois for over 20 years until his retirement, where he implemented numerous innovative programs. He designed and established a comprehensive summer school program and created a unique class for seniors focused on developing lifelong leisure pursuits, introducing students to board games, chess, ping pong, golf, sailing and much more. Don's commitment to enriching education extended to bringing guest poets to the school and designing college symposiums where rising seniors visited colleges and universities on structured trips. His wife Wilma, who survives him, taught high school economics courses for over 20 years, including 17 years at Mascoutah High School. Together, they retired in 1993, spending five years in North Carolina before settling in Melbourne Beach, Florida, where they would spend the next 26 years. 

 

A lifelong learner, Don had a passionate interest in World War II history, inspired by his father who enlisted in the U.S. Army at age 41 shortly after the US entered WWII, a few years after becoming a naturalized citizen. Don loved poetry with historical themes and was an avid card player, particularly known for his unbeatable 500 rummy skills. He was a devoted fan of the St. Louis Cardinals and the North Carolina Tar Heels basketball team. 

 

Don remained active throughout most of his life, staying in shape through daily walks, swimming for exercise, enjoying bicycle rides with friends, and fishing. He particularly found joy in walking the beach and watching sunsets from his community's dock at Lighthouse Cove. 

 

As a born educator, Don delighted in exploring museums, historical sites, planetariums, and cultural institutions with his children and later his grandchildren. Don had a particular fondness for visiting Presidential libraries and war museums throughout the country. His commitment to education lived on through his family - all six of his children graduated from college, most achieving graduate degrees. Seven of his nine grandchildren have completed college degrees, with the youngest two on track to graduate from the University of Illinois. Following in their parents' footsteps, several of his children and grandchildren have chosen careers in education, continuing his legacy as teachers and educators. Others have carried forward his spirit of community service through tutoring, coaching, law, nursing, and therapy. 

 

Don is survived by his beloved wife of 62 years, Wilma Schmitt of Melbourne Beach, Florida; his children: John (Deanna) Deery-Schmitt, Stephanie (John) Frickleton, Michelle (Nick) Young, Erika (Scott) Barkhaus, Peter (Gabrielle) Schmitt, and daughter Heidi Schmitt; nine grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and his sister Alis Anne Schmitt, a retired nurse, of Anchorage, Alaska. He was preceded in death by his parents and his sisters Dolores (Dee), Mary, and Helen. 

 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Immaculate Conception Catholic Church (icparishmb.org) or to VITAS Community Connection (vitascommunityconnection.org), the charitable foundation of VITAS Healthcare whose hospice team provided compassionate care for Don in his final days. 

 

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We Entrusted Donald Schmitt's Care To

Ammen Family Cremation & Funeral Care - Melbourne

Ammen Family Cremation & Funeral Care - Melbourne

For more than 50 years, Ammen Family and Cremation Care has served the Melbourne community. From simple cremation services in Melbourne to full-service burials, we walk you through every option available to you. After years of serving our Melbourne community, we know how important it is to honor every family and every background. Every life is unique and vibrant, and we work hard to capture each life in the memorial services we plan....

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(321) 209-8117

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