John Schmidt

JOHN SCHMIDT

Anamosa

John "Jack" Schmidt,

80, died Saturday, May 23, 2015, at the Jones Regional Medical Center, Anamosa. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 27, at the First Congregational United Church of Christ, Anamosa, with interment in the Oakwood Cemetery, Monticello. The Rev. Greg Griffin will officiate at the services. Friends may call from 4 until 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Goettsch Funeral Home, Anamosa.

Thoughts, memories and condolences may be left at www.goettschonline.com.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Anamosa Library or the First Congregational Church.

Surviving is his wife, Eleanor; three children, Michael of Libby, Mont., Scott (Jody) of Maquoketa and Jolan of Oceanside, Calif.; five grandchildren, Josh, Abby, Ashley, Nicole and Stefanie; three great-grandchildren, Emma, Cole and Ryan; and his brother, Jene (Janice) of Marion.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

John Gerhart Theodore Schmidt was born April 22, 1935, at Monticello, Iowa. He was the son of John G. and June Smith Schmidt. Jack graduated from the Monticello Community Schools in 1953. He continued his education at Coe College, graduating in 1958. Jack married Eleanor Wilcox on Aug. 15, 1956, in Lancaster, Mo.

Jack started his working career as a banker at F&M Bank in Manchester and later in the Chicago area. Jack and Eleanor returned to Monticello, where they operated the Western Auto and later the True Value Hardware Stores. He was also involved in Phil's Furniture Store in Monticello. The couple retired in 1985 and moved to Anamosa.

Jack was a talented athlete in high school and college, playing football, basketball and baseball for Monticello and baseball and basketball for Coe College. He was an exceptional pitcher in his day. Jack also served on the Monticello City Council for two terms, had coached Babe Ruth Baseball and been a member of the Lions Club and Masonic Lodge.