John J. Schmit

John “Jack” Schmit, age 89, died at home surrounded by his family on Sunday, August 17, 2025. Jack was born October 28, 1935, in Bloomington, the youngest child of Edward and Clara (Splinter) Schmit. He joined five older sisters. In 1937, his mother passed away. Edward married Leona Ulbrich Meoska in 1939 and her two children joined the Schmit family. Jack attended St. Mary’s grade school and Bloomington High School graduating in 1953.

At the age of 16, he started working at G.C. Lucy Co after school and Saturdays. He continued full-time at Farmers Implement Co after graduation. In 1958 he was drafted and spent 2 years in the army, most of it in South Korea. After his discharge, he returned to Farmers Implement Co as a junior partner with Ralph Koopman and Roger Osterhaus. After Ralph’s retirement, Roger and Jack built a new store in 1979 and a new partnership. They continued to serve the area farmers until 1992 when they sold the business and retired.

On November 8, 1961, Jack married Kay Bierman and together they raised three children - Maria, Sara and Patrick. Jack enjoyed sharing in and watching the life achievements of his children and grandchildren. He was extremely proud of them and always ready to create new memories. Jack and Kay enjoyed traveling and antiquing as well as a Wisconsin Friday night fish fry. Jack enjoyed golf, card games and dominos.

A lifelong Bloomington resident, he found much joy in small town living. He was a member of St Mary’s Parish serving as a trustee, a member of the parish council and various committees over the years. His dad was sexton of the St. Mary’s cemetery; so, Jack did his share of lawn mowing and trimming while helping his dad. As a young child, Jack helped his dad deliver milk to many Bloomington patrons from the Schmit Dairy.

Jack is survived by his wife Kay Schmit and their children - Maria (Mark) Springer, Sara (Jan Cliff) Easland, and Patrick (Molly) Schmit - and grandchildren - Alexandra Springer, John (Rachel Howard) Springer, Audrey Kratz, Marie Schmit and Madeline Schmit. He is further survived by his sister Clara Weir, sisters-in-law Rita Bierman, Ginny (Don Droessler) Bierman and Cathy Bierman, and brothers-in-law Charlie Kitelinger, Bob (Nancy) Bierman, Steve Bierman, Mark (Deb) Bierman, Mike (Carolyn) Bierman, Jim (Rose) Bierman, Jeff Bierman and many nieces and nephews.

Jack was preceded in death by two infant daughters, his parents Ed and Clara, stepmother Leona, sisters Bernadette Schmit, Margaret Schmit, Elsie Krainik, Jenny Schmit, and Ernestine Walsh, brother Joe Meoska, brothers-in-law Dick Weir, Earl Krainik, Tom Walsh, Larry Bierman, Gary Bierman, and Joe Bierman and sisters-in-law Hazel Meoska and Sue Kitelinger.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday, August 29, 2025, at 12:00 noon at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Bloomington with Father Sudhakar Devarapu and Father John Meoska officiating. Burial with military honors will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Bloomington. Family and friends may call on Friday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of services at the church. Martin Schwartz Funeral Home & Crematory in Bloomington is assisting the family.