Rev. Donald P. Schmitt 1936-2007

SCHMITT, BLONG, OPPOLD, BARLOON

Posted By: cheryl moonen (email)
Date: 4/3/2018 at 08:11:16

Telegraph Herald (Dubuque, IA) - Monday, March 19, 2007

MONTICELLO, Iowa - The Rev. Donald P. Schmitt, 70, of Monticello, formerly of Cedar Rapids, died suddenly Saturday, March 17, 2007.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Monticello, with the Archbishop Jerome J. Hanus, OSB, presiding. Friends may call from 2:30 to 8 p.m. today at the church, where a Knights of Columbus Rosary will be recited at 4 p.m. and a parish scripture service will be held at 7 p.m. Burial will be in St. Luke's Catholic Cemetery, St. Lucas, where a prayer service will be held in St. Luke's Church at 3:30 p.m. Kramer Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Father Schmitt was born on Sept. 5, 1936, in St. Lucas, son of Agnes P. Blong and Chris J. Schmitt. He attended St. Luke's Elementary and Secondary Schools. He graduated from Loras College and completed his theological studies at Mount St. Bernard Seminary, both in Dubuque. He received his master's degree in counseling and administration from Creighton University.

He was ordained to the Roman Catholic priesthood on March 17, 1962, at St. Raphael Cathedral, Dubuque, by Auxiliary Bishop George J. Biskup. His first Mass was celebrated at St. Lucas on March 19, 1962. He was an active priest for exactly 45 years, and his long desire to die on the anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood was fulfilled.

After ordination, he was named associate pastor at Visitation Parish in Stacyville, and St. Mel's in McIntire, from 1962 to 1967. He also served on the faculty of Visitation High School, Stacyville, during this time. In 1967, he became the associate pastor at St. Mary's, Cascade, and served as teacher/counselor at Aquin High School, Cascade. In 1968, he was appointed principal of St. John High School and associate pastor of John the Evangelist Parish, both in Independence. He was named administrator of St. Mary Parish, Hazelton, in addition to his role at the school, in 1969. In July 1974, Father Schmitt became principal of LaSalle High School, Cedar Rapids, and in 1977 was named executive coordinator of the school as well. He remained at LaSalle until 1989. While at the school, he was administrator of Holy Trinity Parish, Walford, from 1978 to 1980. In 1989, he became pastor of St. Athanasius Parish, Jesup, and St. Francis Parish, Barclay. In 2002, he became pastor at Sacred Heart Parish, Monticello, u

ntil his death.

He is survived by three brothers, Theodore, of Decorah, Richard, of Calmar, and Earl (Nell), of Johnston; two sisters, Gladys (Joseph) Oppold, of Waterloo, and Sylvia (George) Barloon, of Ft. Atkinson, Wis.; numerous nieces and nephews and great-nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and a brother, the Rev. Mr. Linus Schmitt.

Memorials may be made according to the wishes of the donors. In lieu of flowers due to the Lenten season, memorials are preferred.

Condolences may be left for the family at www.kramer funeral.com.