Francis Charles (Smitty) Schmidt

Visitation: Tuesday October 31, 2006 in the chapel of Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home, Forsyth.

Funeral Service: Wednesday November 1st at 2:00 pm in the chapel of Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home, Forsyth

Interment: Wednesday November 1st at 2:00 pm in the chapel of Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home, Forsyth

Francis Charles (Smitty) Schmidt, age 82, of Forsyth lost his courageous battle with cancer on October 28, 2006 Smitty.

Smitty was born June 13, 1924 in Mandan, North Dakota the 5th of 7 children to Walter and Albena Schmidt. He attended school in Mandan and spent his summers riding the train to Montana where he stayed and worked with Hank and Bill Schmidt on Armells Creek. It was here he worked for the Sample family and met Edith Sample.On November 12, 1942, Smitty entered the Army Air Corp and served as an Airplane and Engine Mechanic in England during World War II. In 1950 Smitty entered the National Guard and served until 1953.After being discharged from the Air Corp on October 17, 1945 Smitty and Edith were married on November 6, 1945. They have made their home in Forsyth for the past 61 years. In 1948 they welcomed their first child, Walter, to the family. George would follow in 1951 and Rita in 1953.Smitty worked for a brief time on the railroad, at a service station with Bob Mogen and ran a service station with his brother-in-law Art Sample. He also drove truck for Vic East, Petrolane and a number of years for John Prince, where he worked until retirement.Smitty was an active member of the Forsyth VFW, the Forsyth Boat Club and the Forsyth Young Mens Club. He enjoyed fishing, boating, hunting and spending time up town.

Smitty is survived by his wife, Edith, of 61 years; his three children, Walter of Anchorage, AK, George (Diana) and Rita (Bill) FitzGerald all of Forsyth; nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

He has joined his parents: his three brothers, Fred, Henry and Leonard; his three sisters, Adelade, Nellie and Mary Ellen and his grandson, Mick.

Visitation will be held at the chapel of Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home, Forsyth on Tuesday, October 31 from 1:00 to 7:00 p.m. Funeral services for Smitty will be held Wednesday November 1, 2006 at 2:00 p.m. at the Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home chapel with burial following in the Veterans section of the Forsyth cemetery.