Frederick J. Schmitz

Frederick J. (Freddy) Schmitz, long-time resident of Gainesville, passed away on Wednesday, December 5, 2012 at the age of ninety. Services will be held on Saturday, December 8 at 1:00 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church with the internment to follow at Fairview Cemetery. Rosary will be held at 6:00 on Friday, December 7 at the George J. Carroll Funeral Home.

Freddy was born April 14, 1922 in Lindsay to Mary Bezner and John Schmitz. He attended school in Lindsay. He was inducted into the Army Air Corps on December 27, 1942 at Camp Wolters, Texas. He served at Sheppard Field in Wichita Falls, Texas and received advanced training in Florida and New Mexico. As a waist gunner on a B-24 bomber, he flew 30 missions in Northern France, the Normandy invasion and Central Europe. He received the Distinguished Flying Cross, EAME Service Medal, and the Good Conduct Medal. He was honorably discharged from the service at Keesler Field, Mississippi on October 20, 1945.

After his discharge, he purchased Embry Coin Machines which he named Schmitz Coin Machines, and operated the business for over 50 years. He married Oleta Rosson Bezner on November 15, 1950. He enjoyed farming, hunting, fishing and golf.

Freddy is survived by his wife of 62 years, Oleta, two sons, Buster Bezner and wife Marcy, and Mike Schmitz and wife Marcia, four grandchildren, Rae Ann Gerken (Jeff), Robby Bezner (Carmen), Melinda Schmitz and Justin Schmitz (Karah), and six great-grandchildren, Sarah, Hannah and Mary Gerken, Madison and Blake Bezner, and Harper Grace Schmitz. He is also survived by two sisters, Rosalee Cox and Marcy Wilde of Muenster and brother Leroy Schmitz of Valley View, sister in law Treba Dobkins and a host of nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Leonard and John and two sisters, Sally Theimer and Gertie Horn.

Nephews Danny Wilde, Tommy Schmitz, Bobby Schmitz, Joe Schmitz, John Schmitz and Steve Schmitz will serve as pall bearers. The family has requested that memorial donations be made to St. Mary’s School, 931 N. Weaver, Gainesville, Texas.