Lloyd ‘Bud’ Schmitz, 95, Merrill passed away on Friday, October 1, 2021, at Our House Assisted Living, Wausau. He was born August 12, 1926, in Tomahawk, son of the late Adam and Elsie (Heiser) Schmitz. Bud attended Whittier School in Tomahawk and then moved to Merrill. Bud graduated from Merrill High School prior to enlisting in the United States Navy in 1944. He was honorably discharge in 1946. On June 24, 1950, Bud married Grace Neumann at Trinity Lutheran Church, Merrill. She preceded him in death on May 7, 2001. In 1949, Bud bought the Rapid Delivery Service then expanded to City Transfer which he ran for 17 years. After that, he drove semi-truck for 16 years for Northern Door and Semco Co. He then drove school bus for Wendorf Bus Service for 17 ½ years. After driving school bus, Bud drove for Meals on Wheels until he suffered a minor stroke. Some of Bud’s favorite pastimes included bowling, spending time at their cottage on Lake Nokomis, deer hunting, which he did until 2010. After he was discharged from the Navy, he became a member of VFW Post 1638 – Merrill. He was a life member of both the VFW and the honor guard. He served three years as post commander and many state assignments. In 1970, Bud and several friends started the Merrill Polka Festival drawing thousands of Polka lovers to Merrill. One of the biggest bands they drew was Father Kapoun Band. Bud also did several Polka shows on the local radio.
Survivors include his children, Gary Schmitz, Merrill and Sandy (Robert ‘Skip’) Schulz, Ontanogan, MI, special friend and loving companion, Donna Grell, three grandchildren, Tanya (Jason) Kleinschmidt, Tammy (Adam) Haugen, Theresa Blake, seven great grandchildren, Amber (Bryce) Dombroski, Michael Kleinschmidt, Matthew (Stephanie) Kleinschmidt, Tate and Aidan Haugen and Adalyn and Bentley Blake, and four great great grandchildren, Madison and Owen Dombroski and Isabelle and Oaklynn Kleinschmidt. Bud was preceded in death by his wife, Grace; his parents, Adam and Elsie Schmitz; his daughter-in-law, Barbara Schmitz; a great-great-granddaughter, Elizabeth Dombroski; two brothers, Lyle Schmitz and Marvin Schmitz; and one sister, Lucille Jost.
Funeral services will be held at 12:00 p.m., Noon, Friday, October 8, 2021, at Trinity Lutheran Church, Merrill. The Rev. Adam Rodriguez will officiate. Burial will be in Merrill Memorial Park Cemetery, where full military honors will be conducted. Following the burial, a lunch will be served at Trinity Lutheran Church, Merrill. Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 7, 2021, at the Taylor-Stine Funeral Home, Merrill, and again on Friday from 11:00 a.m. until the time of services at the church.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.taylorstinefuneralhome.com