Thomas M. Schmitz

Thomas M. Schmitz, age 78, of Angola, Indiana, entered into eternal life, Sunday morning, February 8, 2015, at Lakeland Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation. Tom was born June 14, 1936 in Metamora, Ohio to Leo and Veronica (Snyder) Schmitz. He was a 1954 graduate of St. Mary’s School in Assumption. Tom joined the United States Army Reserves and served from 1959 to 1961. Following the service, he returned to Metamora and started farming alongside his dad. He later continued to farm for several years with his brother, Bill.

Tom moved to Iowa and then to Michigan to farm and raise Belgian horses. Following a stroke, he moved to Angola, Indiana, to be closer to the Amish, where he worked alongside them on the dairy farms. When he wasn’t farming, he drove the Amish to Pennsylvania and New York to attend weddings, funerals and to work construction. Tom was a member of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Parish in Angola.

Tom is survived by his children, Amy (Rick) Wismer, Shelley (Kent) Nickolaus, Brad (Melonie) Schmitz, and Bo (Tina) Schmitz; grandchildren, Ryan, Megan, Katie, Cody, Austin, Erika, Chase, Katie, and Ashley; brother, Bill (Mona) Schmitz; sisters, Florence Ruple and Camilla Cleghorn; brothers-in-law, Jim Willson and Jim Hubbell; sister-in-law, Lois Schmitz; and several nieces and nephews.

Tom was preceded in death by his sisters, Jean Prescott, Pat Willson, and Susie Hubbell; and brothers, Ralph Schmitz and Sunny Schmitz.

Visitation will be held Wednesday, February 11th from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Weigel Funeral Home, 413 E. Main St. in Metamora, Ohio (419.644.3601). A Mass of Resurrection will begin at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, February 12th at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 2649 US 20, Swanton, Ohio 43558. Interment, with Military Rites, will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Holy Trinity Catholic Church.

Residence: Angola, Indiana

Visitation: Wednesday, February 11th from 6 to 8 pm at the Weigel Funeral Home in Metamora, Ohio

Mass of Resurrection: Thursday, February 12th at 11:00 am at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Assumption

Interment: St. Mary's Cemetery