Jean Ellen Schmitt

Jean Ellen Treash Schmitt, 88 died peacefully on October 29th after a long struggle with Alzheimer’s disease. Jean was born on January 6, 1931, to Oliver and Delia (Baron) Treash the fifth child of that family. All of her siblings have predeceased her. Jean was a loving, caring, outgoing person and a wonderful wife, mother of five, grandmother of six and great grandmother of three. Jean was a graduate of St. Augustine High School and Western Michigan University. On June 23, 1951 Jean married her high school sweetheart Richard (Dick) Schmitt who survives. Jean was happiest in the kitchen preparing gourmet food for family and friends. She was an accomplished gardener and bridge player plus a fine tennis player. Jean and Dick loved to travel, often with best friends - the Motley Crew from Kalamazoo. Their best times were spent at their lake cottage with their extended family. Her surviving children include Richard & Karen Schmitt of Kalamazoo, Jane Schmitt and her husband Rick Crack of Kauai, HI, Robert & Karen Schmitt of Marquette MI, Barbara Schmitt of San Rafael, CA and Stephen & Juli Schmitt of Lake Oswego, OR. Her grandchildren are Becky Schmitt & Jacob Hamblin, Matthew Schmitt & Vanessa Krafft, Benjamin & Emily Schmitt, Jacob Schmitt, and Jadon & Kyla Schmitt and great-granddaughters - Mia, Lily, and Cedar. Jean was a long-time member of St. Monica Church and an active community volunteer. The family is most grateful to the following people and organizations: caretakers Mary Six and Teresa Wimberly, Hospice Care of Southwest MI, Adult Day Services at Oakland Center and Bickford of Portage, all of whom provided wonderful care to Jean in her final journey. At her wish, cremation has taken place and a private celebration of her life will be held at a later date.  I thought I was ready for you to depart But I was wrong - there's a huge hole in my heart After sixty-eight years of good times and bad Where once I felt joy - now I only feel sad You were and still are the love of my life A loving mother and a wonderful wife It sure won’t be easy but I’ll give it my best Until the day that I join you in eternal rest