Donald Karl Schmidt, 81, of Russel’s Point, Ohio, passed away on February 15, 2023, in Bellefontaine, Ohio, after a long battle with congestive heart failure.

Donald (Donnie) was born in Van Dyke, Michigan, to Peter and Christina, on October 27, 1941. He was a graduate of Roseville High School in 1960. He spent many summers in Berkey, with his Ohio family. He married Janice (Natzel) Schmidt on September 15, 1962, in Roseville, Michigan. He served in the U.S. Air Force, where he worked as a heavy equipment operator and was on the boxing team. He was the owner/operator of two successful businesses: Schmidt’s Floor Covering, Romeo, Michigan, and the Harvest Table Restaurants in Alpena and Kalamazoo, Michigan.

The last 20-plus years of his career he worked in various sales and leadership positions for Gordon Food Service in Toledo. He loved serving as an assistant to the minister at Zoar Lutheran Church, writing and delivering many thoughtful, beautiful prayers. He served as the charter president of Romeo Kiwanis Club, sang in the Alpena Barbershop Club, lovingly maintained meticulous landscaping at his home on the Maumee River and he served as the president of the homeowner’s association at the Red Coconut RV Park in Ft. Myers Beach, Florida.

Donald is preceded in death by his siblings, Elizabeth, Rosey, Peter and Patsy.

He was a devout husband to Janice; cherished father to David (Rennie) Schmidt, Drs. Jennifer (John) Hughes, and Kristina (Thomas) Lichtenberg; a proud poppa to Drew Schmidt, Josh (Jessie) Schmidt, Emily (Dr. Jonathon) Rogers, Donald (Lee Raska) Hughes, Megan (Drake Csage) Schmidt, Maxwell Hughes, William Hughes, Peyton Lichtenberg and Gunner Lichtenberg, and an adoring great-grandfather to Callan, Lincoln and Tucker Schmidt.

Visitation will be from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Thursday, February 23, at Witzler-Shank-Walker Funeral Home, 222 East South Boundary Street, Perrysburg. Funeral services will be held immediately following visitation at 12:30 p.m., with Pastor Paul Reichert of Zoar Lutheran Church officiating. Burial will be held at White Chapel Memorial Cemetery, Troy, Michigan, at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Zoar Lutheran Church Endowment Fund or the Salvation Army. Online condolences may be shared at walkerfuneralhomes.com.

He will be remembered as a loving husband, father, Poppa, friend and mentor to many. His legacy will live on forever in our hearts. The family of Donald wishes to extend their sincere thanks to cardiologist Dr. Kacic and his staff.