Joseph William Schmitz, age 75, of rural Chilton "Charlesburg" passed away Thursday, August 15, 2024, at SSM St. Agnes Hospital in Fond du Lac with his family at his side following a brief battle with lung cancer.

He was born August 11, 1949, in Fond du Lac to the late LaVern & Kathleen (Reiser) Schmitz. Joe attended Holy Trinity Grade School in Jericho and graduated from New Holstein High School in 1968.

On September 12, 1970, he married Carol Abler at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Mount Calvary.

Joe and his family farmed in the Town of Calumet near Marytown until going to Stoelting Inc. where he worked until retiring.

He enjoyed being at the family hunting shack where he would spend family time playing sheepshead, drinking PBR, and watching the Packers. He loved to cut wood on his hunting land with the Allis Chalmers 185, an occasional trip to the casino, and taking rides on his motorcycle.

Joe was a member of Our Lady of the Holyland Parish-St. Mary's site in Marytown.

Survivors include his wife, Carol; his four children, Pam (Kevin) Koehler, Richard Schmitz, Paul (Lori) Schmitz, and Paula Schmitz (special friend, Stan Bassuener); seven grandchildren, Justin Lefeber, Brad (Jenna) Koehler, Brittany Lagerman, Blake Schmitz, Jaymi (Justin) Daily, Anika Schmitz, and Jordan Schmitz; six great-grandchildren; his sister, Mary (Al) Bowe; his brother, Steve (Nettie) Schmitz; his sister-in-law, Kathy Abler; nieces; nephews; other relatives; and many friends.

Preceding him in death were his parents, LaVern & Kathleen Schmitz; his son, Dean Schmitz; his father-in-law & mother-in-law, Clemens & Genevieve Abler; and his brothers-in-law, Paul (Pat) Abler, Duane Abler, and Kenneth Abler.

A Liturgy Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:30 AM on Friday, August 23, 2024, at Our Lady of the Holyland Parish-St. Mary's site in Marytown (N10232 County Road G, New Holstein, WI 53061). Rev. Truong Dinh, OFM Cap will officiate. Burial will take place in the church cemetery following the Mass.

Visitation: Family and friends may visit with Joe's family at the church in Marytown on Friday, August 23rd from 9:00 AM until 11:00 AM.

Joe's family would to extend their sincere appreciation to the staff at SSM Health Facilities and the Agnesian Cancer Center for their care given to him.

For further information, please contact the Sippel Funeral Home in New Holstein (920) 898-4300 or visit www.sippelfuneralhome.net.