John Bernard ("Jack") Schmitt
June 30, 1947 – October 28, 2025 | Age 78

John Bernard ("Jack") Schmitt, 78, of St. Louis, Missouri, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on October 28, 2025. Born and raised in Bellefontaine Neighbors, Jack dedicated his life to his family and worked tirelessly to provide them with greater opportunities than he had.

A proud Vietnam Veteran, Jack served his country honorably in the United States Air Force. Upon returning to the United States after his tour of duty, he resumed his career with Central Hardware, where he started in the mailroom and worked his way up to Merchandise Buyer, making regular trips to China in that role.

After his years at Central Hardware, Jack continued his career at several retail companies including Grandpa's.  He loved his work and brought an extreme level of dedication and commitment to every role in which he served.

At home, Jack found joy in working in the yard, tackling home improvement projects, and watching his children participate in sports and other activities.  He became famous at their sporting events for sitting in a folding lawn chair with his briefcase in his lap — when his children were playing, he watched; when they weren't, he worked.  Jack took immense pride in putting all three of his children — Christopher Schmitt, Andrew Schmitt, and Heidi Contrera — through private grade school, high school, and college, ensuring they had the opportunities he wanted for them.

In retirement, Jack's purpose never wavered.  Whether it was running a family member to the airport for an early morning flight, lending a hand on a home improvement project, or caring for a grandchild at any time day or night, Jack was always there and never stopped giving to those around him.

Jack was married to his beloved wife for 52 years, a partnership built on love, devotion, and common purpose.

In recent years, Jack's greatest joy came from his three grandchildren—Eloise Schmitt, Chase Contrera, and Wells Schmitt. He cherished watching them play baseball, soccer, swim, and grow into the people they are becoming. On Sunday evenings, Papa — as his grandchildren called him — had a cherished routine of playing the "Monster Game," invented by Eloise. He delighted in finding hidden grandchildren and chasing them around his yard, their laughter filling the neighborhood. His pride in them was never-ending.

Jack is survived by his wife, Jayne Schmitt; his children Christopher Schmitt, Andrew Schmitt and his wife Kristen Schmitt, and Heidi Contrera and her husband Mike Contrera; his grandchildren Eloise Schmitt, Chase Contrera, and Wells Schmitt; his sister Sue Castellani; his brother and sister-in-law Mike and Jean Sollot; his nieces and nephews David Sollot, Lisa (Nick) Beaudet, Lynda (Mike) Slayter, Rick (Sheri) Wunsch; and his great nieces and nephews.

Family was everything to Jack Schmitt. His legacy of love, sacrifice, and unwavering dedication to those he held dear will live on in the hearts of all who knew him.

Services

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, November 5, 2025, from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at Incarnate Word Church in Chesterfield, followed by a Memorial Mass at 10:30 a.m.

Cemetery Service with Military Honors will be at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery on Thursday, November 6 at 9:00 a.m.  Funeral procession will leave from Ortmann Stipanovich Funeral Home, 12444 Olive Blvd., Creve Coeur, at 8:30 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that memorial donations be made to DeSmet Jesuit High School or St. Joseph's Academy.

Ortmann Stipanovich Funeral Home
www.osfuneralhomes.com