Reverend Anthony J. Schmidt
Reverend Anthony Joseph Schmidt, age 92, of Quincy, died on Monday, June 27, 2016 in his home. He was born on June 5, 1924 in Carlinville, IL, a son of Anthony P. & Frances (Bellm) Schmidt.
Reverend Schmidt graduated from Quincy College (now Quincy University) and Kenrick-Glennon Seminary in St. Louis, MO. He was ordained as a Catholic priest in the Springfield, IL Diocese on May 27, 1950.
As Father Schmidt was growing up in a large Catholic family, he looked up to his mother (the late Frances Schmidt) and she was very instrumental in his life, as were his siblings. In fact, he shared his vocation with his slightly younger brother, Father Carl Schmidt, who went through the seminary with him.
Father Schmidt’s first assignment was as assistant at St. Mary Parish in Alton from 1950-1954. During the rest of the 1950’s until the early 1960’s he was also assistant at Saint Peter and Paul in Springfield and then at St. John the Baptist in Quincy. He was pastor of St. Patrick in Grafton and St. Michael in Beltrees from 1962-1969. In 1969, he became pastor at the parish he called home for 25 years, St. Lawrence Parish in Greenville. He loved the priesthood and all of the parishes that he served. Father Schmidt retired from full-time ministry in 1994 at age 70.
Being an uncle to his sibling’s many children, Father Schmidt has baptized many nieces and nephews and has celebrated family wedding Masses as well. He had a special devotion to the Divine Mercy. Father Schmidt loved to travel the world, and fly an airplane when he had the opportunity.
It wasn’t until 2009 that he moved to Quincy so that he could live close to his youngest sister, Virginia Drew.
He is survived by his siblings, Robert (Barbara) Schmidt of Citrus Springs, Florida, Rev. Carl Schmidt of Effingham, IL, Rosemary Pankratz of Lucedale, MS, Joseph Schmidt of Quincy and Virginia Drew of Quincy along with a sister-in-law, Josie Schmidt of Collinsville, IL. Numerous nieces and nephews also survive.
He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother Laurence Schmidt, brothers-in-law Bill Pankratz and John T. Drew and sisters-in-law Thelma Schmidt and Mary Schmidt.
A Memorial Mass will be concelebrated with Bishop Thomas John Paprocki on Saturday, July 9, 2016 at 10:30 a.m. at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Springfield, IL. Father Schmidt had requested that his body be donated to St. Louis University for medical research. Masses may be given in his memory or memorials may be made to the Retired Priests of the Springfield Diocese. Arrangements in care of the Duker & Haugh Funeral Home, Quincy.
I am so sorry for your loss. Father Schmidt was our priest for many years, and I received First Communion from him. I always loved his smile. May God Bless him and your family.
Father was a true blessing to our parish (St. Lawrence) for many, many years. He was loved so much! I remember him while attending religion classes as a kid and then as an adult when he married me. He made a major difference any many lives, including mine and will be missed here on earth by many, but will be welcomed into Heaven by many many more! God Bless you, Father and all your work! Blessings to your family for sharing you with us!
My prayers are with Fr. Schmidt and his family many of whom have touched my family throughout the years. God Bless.
God Bless a great man. Share time with Tony for 5 months. Greatest time of my life.
Virginia–Tony is at peace with Jesus. What a great life he shared! May we all be like him!
Many prayers for your family. Father was my priest while growing up. I remember him laughing with us kids on Wednesday nights and we really missed him when he moved on. He was also the priest that performed the mass for my marriage. Rest in peace.
To Father Tony’s family, I wanted to offer my deepest condolences. I met Father at Christ the King Church in Springfield,Il. He was saying the 6:30 am Mass. When He started mass, I had to do a double take….was this Father talking. ..or God!! I waited after Mass to meet him. I told him he sounds just as I would imagine how God will sound. A deep, loving,caring voice. Later I had the pleasure of being on a Koinonia retreat with him. We had a great time.
I can only imagine what a time you had when all the Family got together!!
I am so very sorry for your loss. May God Bless you and be with you. Love and Prayers Becky Powell
My prayers and sympathies to all of Fr Tony’s family. He was such a kind and caring man. I cherish the memories of all the times we shared…from our LT gatherings to our Quincy lunches. He was very dear to me and I will miss him terribly.
Father Tony was A great pastor & friend. Many fond memories of his time at St Lawrence. We especially enjoyed his visits to the farm where he helped us celebrate many special occasions. May Got keep in safe in Heaven.
Our condolences to Father Schmidt’s family. We appreciated his service to our St. Lawrence parish. Blessing to Father Schmidt and his family.
My prayers are for Father Schmidt, he was a great man and what a kind priest, many good visits to St. Rose, and with is family, the Drews, all good people to know, we will miss him, but he is in a better place where he can help us now.