Carl "Bud" Schmitt

Carl “Bud” Schmitt, 90, of East Peoria, passed away on Friday, November 27, 2015 at 2:30 am at Apostolic Christian Skylines in Peoria. Born on October 10, 1925 in East Peoria to Carl J. and Elizabeth Hulse Schmitt, he married Gretchen Hefner on February 9, 1952 in Peoria. She preceded him in death on March 22, 2002 in East Peoria. He also was preceded in death by his brother, Albert Schmitt. Bud is survived by his children, Monika (Andy) Tonsor of East Peoria, Lettie Schmitt of Peoria, and Ara Schmitt of Pittsburg, PA; one sister, Frances “Sis” (Ray) Geier of East Peoria; and three grandchildren, Elizabeth Tonsor, Timothy Tonsor, and Joseph Schmitt. Bud graduated from East Peoria Community High School in 1943. After briefly working at Caterpillar, Inc. as a stenciler, Bud enlisted in the United States Navy in October of 1943 after his 18th birthday. Finishing his training at the Naval Station Great Lakes, he served on the South Pacific front both in Hawaii and Guam before moving to Washington D.C. as a teletype technician (Electrician’s Mate Third Class) who broke codes during World War II until 1946. He was decorated with the Victory Medal, America Area Campaign Medal, and the Asiatic Pacific Area Campaign Medal. Returning from service in 1946, Bud opened a Texaco Gas Station in East Peoria while attending Eureka College where he graduated with a B.S. in Education. Furthering his education, Bud graduated from Bradley University with a Master’s Degree and additional hours in Business Administration. He was the assessor for the Fon du Lac Township from 1948 – 1952. During his long career with the East Peoria Grade School District #86 starting in 1964, he was a teacher, principal, business administrator, and retired in 1992 as the Associate Superintendent. As a life-long resident of East Peoria, Bud was dedicated to serving and bettering those within his community. He was quoted as saying he was born and raised in East Peoria and truly loved it. Receiving many accolades and positions within each organization, he was actively involved with the East Peoria Rotary Club, Salvation Army, Salvation Army Tree of Lights Campaign, Fon du Lac Park District Commissioner for over 50 years, District 86 Foundation Board, District 86 School Board Secretary, Illinois Association of Park Districts for over 45 years, East Peoria Riverfront Development Commission, Fon du Lac Library Board, East Peoria Historical Committee, Illinois Regional Board of Superintendents, and Illinois Regional School Board of Trustees. Bud was named Citizen of the Year in 1991 in East Peoria. Also, after riding over 25,000 miles of trails, the span of river trail in East Peoria was renamed the Carl “Bud” Schmitt River Trail on July 18, 2011. Bud was also a life-long parishioner of St. Monica’s Catholic Church in East Peoria where he attended faithfully and served in many different ministries touching the lives of many. Known world-wide, Bud Schmitt was a dedicated and avid fan of the University of Notre Dame. After starting to attend the University of Notre Dame football games in the 1940’s where a fellow high school teammate played, Schmitt obtained four season tickets and had never missed a home game, always attending with family and friends. This was his 60th year of never missing a home football game and his passionate Irish spirit will live on forever. In Bud’s words, “Go Irish!”. A funeral mass for Bud will be held on Tuesday, December 1, 2015 at 10:00 am at St. Monica’s Catholic Church in East Peoria, where visitation will be held from 9:15 - 9:45 am prior to the mass. Father Stephen Willard and Father David Richardson will officiate. An additional visitation will be held on Monday, November 30, 2015 from 4:00 - 7:00 pm at Deiters Funeral Home and Crematory in East Peoria. Interment will be at Fon du Lac Township Cemetery in East Peoria, where military honors will be accorded by the United States Navy. Memorials contributions may be made to the Salvation Army c/o East Peoria Rotary Club or to the District #86 Foundation.

Carl "Bud" Schmitt

October 10, 1925 - November 27, 2015