Schmitt, Michael R.

Michael R. Schmitt, 45, of Durham, N.C., formerly of Marion, died Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2010, due to complications from influenza. A private memorial service will be held at St. John's Catholic Church in Mount Vernon at 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 20. There will be no visitation.

Survivors include his parents, Georgieann Schmitt of Allen, Texas and Marvin R. (Sue) Schmitt of Solon; brothers, Thomas (Susie) Schmitt of Plano, Texas, Steven (Rebecca) Schmitt of Deforest, Wis., and Kevin Schmitt of Clearwater, Fla.; sister, Keri Schmitt of Oxnard, Calif.; stepsisters, Sarah Kersevich of Solon and Sonia Kersevich of North Liberty; and nieces and nephews.

Michael was preceded in death by his grandparents and one uncle.

Michael was a graduate of Regis High School and attended Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill. He was a talented and accomplished chef, working in world class restaurants in Chicago, San Francisco and most recently at the Nasher Museum of Art in Durham, N.C.

 Family requests those who would like to remember Michael do so by supporting Project Open Hand in San Francisco () or their local farmers markets and soup kitchens as he did.