Mark Schmitz

Visitation: Sunday, August 9, 2009 with the family to receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home.

Graveside services: Monday, August 10, 2009 at 10:00am at the Custer County Cemetery.


We lost our beloved Mark on Thursday August 6th, 2009, after a long and courageous battle with cancer.

Mark Donald Schmitz was born on 7-10-61 in Valley City ND to Jim and Katy Schmitz. He was the 4th of 5 children. The family moved to Miles City in 1965, where Mark resided until the time of his death. Mark attended school in Miles City, graduating from CCDHS in 1980. He married Sherry Jean Cameron on August 26th, 1984, and gained a wonderful stepdaughter, April. Mark and Sherry spent 23 loving years together. He was so thankful for the opportunity to be a father to April and he loved her dearly. Mark also raised and was an incredible father to dozens of pets. He loved all animals, all of the outdoors, all thunderstorms, all music, all food, all of his family, and all of his friends.

He loved life! He worked for over 20 years at The Short Stop, side by side with his parents and sister, Terri. After leaving there, he worked at Pine Hills School as a correctional officer, at CCDHS and Garfield Schools in the maintenance dept, and briefly for Sanjel, before being diagnosed with cancer just two weeks after his wife Sherry passed away. Mark had an incredible zest for life and an infectious sense of humor that touched the lives of everyone who knew him. He always had a smile on his face, a pun ready to fly, or some funny observation to tell about. In the last 2 years of his life, Mark was fortunate enough to fall in love for a 2nd time, with his long-time friend Renae Meade. She was his guardian angel, his caregiver, and his best friend. She gave Mark love, dignity, strength, care, and unyielding respect. All of Marks family and friends will be forever grateful to Renae, Frankie, and all of the Meade family for everything they did for him.

Mark is survived by his parents; Jim & Katy Schmitz, brothers; Mike (Rhonda), Matt, and Jim (Holly), and sister Terri Newby (Rick). He is also survived by; his stepdaughter April Cameron, 3 nieces and 2 nephews, special great-nephew Nolan, companion; Renae Meade, special friend; Frankie Meade, and pets Max, Jack, Kado, Beasley, Coco, Smudge, Simone, Ivy, BC, Bobby, Clyde, Peanut, and Dixy.

He is preceded in death by his wife; Sherry Schmitz, his grandparents, and numerous pets.

Mark did not want a traditional funeral, so the following plans reflect his wishes. Family visitation will be Sunday evening from 6:00 to 8:00 at Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home. Graveside services will be held Monday morning at 10:00am at the Custer County Cemetery. Following that, there will be a luncheon and wake to celebrate Marks life at The Town & Country Club beginning at 11:00 am and carrying on through the afternoon. We invite all of Marks friends to come out and celebrate with us, tell stories, and share the love.

Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandson.comShould friends desire, memorials may be made to the charity of one's choice.