Joseph M. Schmitt

Joseph Maximilian Schmitt, Jr



Joseph Maximilian Schmitt, Jr. born in Rochester, NY, March 19, 1942, went to be home with his Lord Jesus Christ October 28, 2013, while doing things that "need to get done" at his old home in Springwater, NY. He was a faithful Christian, husband, father, grandfather, marine and judge, and he left behind many friends and family who miss him but know he is in a far better place, especially his Angelica angel, the love and center of his world under the Lord Jesus, Marlee Schmitt. All know how he cared for his community so very, very much. Joe, you will be missed.



He served our country in the USMC in the early 1960s in Cuba, Japan, Taiwan, China and the Philippines. This was a transformational event in his life and one that very much shaped his character in a positive way. As he would remind us, "Once a marine, always a marine." Semper Fi.



He was trained as an apprentice, then worked for many years as a draftsman and part owner of Young's Wrought Iron Works in Rochester, NY, settling his family on 42 acres in Springwater, NY, where he and his first wife JoAnne raised their two children, Naomi and Garett. In the 1980s he started his own business, Wayland Fleet Service in nearby Wayland, NY. He then began Joe Schmitt Detailing and found his drafting skills for wrought iron were highly sought after from clients in and out of New York State. He was involved in serving his community through Scouting, the volunteer ambulance service, the fire department and was a first aid instructor. In his church at that time, Italy Naples Baptist, he served as Sunday School teacher and deacon.



After each lost their spouse to cancer, Marlee Hand Schneider and he became better acquainted. They fell in love, married and he moved to Angelica, NY. He was elected and served as judge there from 2002 to 2007 as he continued his drafting services. His many hobbies included listening to Country music, reading Western novels, fishing, hunting, and playing card games with friends. He had an incredible sense of humor and could be quite a prankster.



As a judge, however, he understood that there are laws of the universe as well as of men and there is a ruling Lawmaker and Judge to whom all will be accountable one day.



As a marine, he understood that all it takes for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing. But one marine can make a very large difference in being the arm of justice and judgment on those who seek to do evil.



As a draftsman who both made and worked with blueprints for metal and structures, he understood there was not only sophisticated design all throughout nature but clear evidence that meant there has to be a Designer behind it all.



On one joyous day in 1976 Joe bowed his head and surrendered his life to the Judge of all, Jesus Christ, sought and received forgiveness for all his sins and yielded control of his life to Him. "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."



Joe was predeceased by his father, Joseph Maximilian Schmitt, Sr. and his mother Evelyn (Reed) Schmitt, his aunt Jean and uncle Roy Reed (who helped raise him), and his first wife, JoAnne (Young) Schmitt. He is survived by his wife Marlee Hand Schneider Schmitt, daughter and son-in-law Naomi and Pastor Roger Richards, son and daughter-in-law Garett and Maria Schmitt, step daughter and son-in-law Tammy and Brian Davis, seventeen grandchildren and several great-grandchildren.



Donations in memorial can be made to Angelica Baptist Church, PO Box 357 Angelica, NY 14709. The funeral service is Friday, Nov. 1, at 11 AM at Brown and Powers Funeral Home, 101 West Ave., Angelica, NY 14709, with Pastor David Ford of Angelica Baptist Church officiating. Interment will follow at the Forest Hills Cemetery in Belmont.



To send a remembrance or to light a candle in Joseph's name please visit www.brownandpowersfuneralhomes.com .