Larry E. Schmitt, age 73, of Merrill, died Friday, December 3, 2010, at Pine Crest Nursing Home, Merrill.
Larry was born November 22, 1937, in Merrill, son of the late Charles P. and Janette (Kuziej) Schmitt. He married Darlene Sabatke on November 13, 1981. Darlene, the love of Larry’s life, preceded him in death on June 2, 2010. Larry was a bus driver for Wendorf’s Bus Service. Prior to that, he was a custodian at the Lincoln County Courthouse. Larry was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Merrill. He was a huge fan of the Merrill Girl’s Basketball Team. Larry enjoyed trips to the casino; his last trip was with family this past August. Larry was interested in aviation and attended the Oshkosh Air Shows. He loved animals, especially dogs. Larry enjoyed spending time with his wife, family and friends and visiting with neighbors.
Survivors include three daughters, Robin (Robert) Woodside, of San Marcos, Texas, Sandra Schmitt, of Eau Claire, and Jeanette (Gary Krahn) Schmitt, of Merrill; five grandchildren, Jeremy Schmitt, Joshua Pickard, and Angela Serda, all of Texas, Dustin McNeil, of Wausau, and Elisa Perez, of Eau Claire; five great-grandchildren; one brother, Charles ‘Skip’ (Marie) Schmitt, of Staunton, Virginia; his mother-in-law, Ceora Sabatke, of Merrill; two sisters-in-law, Sandy (Mark) Ewan, of Athens, and Debbie (fiance’ Jim Harris) Hensel, of Merrill; and one brother-in-law, Steven (Cindy) Sabatke, of Merrill. Larry was preceded in death by his parents, Charles P. and Janette Schmitt; the love of his life, his wife, Darlene; his father-in-law, Gilbert Sabatke; and one brother-in-law, DuWayne Sabatke.
The funeral will be at 2:00 P.M. Wednesday, December 8, 2010, at the Taylor-Stine Funeral Home, Merrill. The Rev. R. Brian Stolarczyk will officiate. Burial will take place in Merrill Memorial Park. Visitation will begin at 11:00 A.M. Wednesday at the funeral home.
Online condolences may be made at www.taylorstinefuneralhome.com
The family would like to thank the staff at Pine Crest Nursing Home for the loving care they showed Larry. Your compassion will never be forgotten.