Mass of Christian Burial for Clarence Joseph Schmiz, 86 year-old Thomas, OK resident, was held on Monday, October 3rd, 2011 at 2:00 P.M. in the Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Thomas, OK with Father Rex Arnold officiating and Deacon Joe Dubey assisting. Burial followed in the Mound Valley Cemetery in Thomas, OK under the direction of Lockstone Funeral Home of Thomas.
Clarence Joseph Schmitz was born on April 12th, 1925 to Carl Bernard Schmitz and Genevievce Marie (Weishaar) Schmitz on their farm southwest of Thomas, Oklahoma. He left this life to be with his Lord on September 30, 2011 at the age of 86. Joe was the youngest of four sons and grew up loving the farm. He learned from his dad and worked with him on the arm until he graduated from Custer High School in 1943. He worked for Hockard Hardware for several years before he married the love of his life, Mary Louise Wilhite. They were married on September 20th, 1953 in Watonga, Oklahoma and made their home in Thomas, Oklahoma. They had two children, a son Randy Lee and a daughter Connie Dale. Joe went to work for Dobbins Bros. John Deere as a mechanic and later as a parts man. He loved working on farm machinerfy and was known far and wise as the best parts man in Western Oklahoma. He knew the make and model of everyone’s tractor and combine and what each piece on them was called. People drove many miles to get Joe to help them with their equipment woes. When Dobbins Bros. closed Joe and his partner opened Joe & Sam’s Farm and Auto Supply. Later Joe worked for Thomas Napa until his retirement in 2003.
Joe was a lifelong member of the Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Thomas where he served as treasurer and building supervisor. He was also a member of the Thomas All Sports Association and supporter of all community activities. Joe always had kind words and a smile for everyone. He will be long remembered for his kind, loving, and giving heart.
Joe was preceded in death by his parents, Carl and Genevieve, his wife Mary in 1980, and his brothers Clem and Anthony.
He is survived by his son Randy and his wife Jan of Weatherford, OK, and his daughter Connie Quattlebaum and her husband Doug of Leedey, OK.: six grandchildren Tracy Rogers and her husband Bryan of Yukon, OK., Amanda Johnston and her husband Rusty of Sapulpa, OK., Chris Schmitz and his wife Nikki of Weatherford, OK., Brandy Thompson and her husband Taylor of Edmond, OK., Kelly Manke and her husband Brandon of Watongha, OK., and Kent Quattlebaum and his wife Samantha of Leedey, OK.; four great-grandsons: Carter and Callen Schmitz of Weatherford, Bode Rogers of Yukon, and Wade Manke of Watonga. He is also survived by one brother George of Portland, OR., Three sisters-in-law; Helena Schmitz of Webb City, MO., Kim Sanders of Oklahoma City, Virginia Wilhite of Oklahoma City; one brother-in-law Harold Wilhite of Council Bluff, IA.; a special friend and caregiver Sandy Baldwin, many nieces, nephews, cousins and more friends than could be counted. Joe will be greatly missed by everyone who ever knew him.
Cheyenne Star, Cheyenne, OK 27OCT2011