James Edward Schmitz

James Edward Schmitz, 87, formally of Gorin, Missouri, passed away at 12:30 am on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, at The LaBelle Manor in LaBelle, Missouri.

Jim was born November 7, 1938, in West Point, IL, a son of John Leonard and Stella Eileen (Staff) Schmitz.

The family of 13 lived and farmed near Sutter, IL. Jim attended Orange School through 8th grade, then Warsaw High School until 1952 when his family moved to Ewing MO. He graduated from Ewing High School in 1956.

Jim married Ann Forrester December 24, 1956. To this union six children were born. They farmed row crops and raised kids and hogs in the Durham area, then later near Gorin, MO. Jim received the Missouri State Conservation Award on two occasions for his work with terracing and no-till farming. They were members of St Michael Catholic Church in Kahoka, MO. Ann preceded him in death August 31, 1981.

Jim later married Sandy Shuman in 1983 and gained two bonus children. They later divorced.

In 2000, Jim and Betty Cobb were married, and they farmed and fished together for many years.

Jim retired in 2011, but still fishing at every opportunity. He also enjoyed lapidary, building and distributing bluebird houses, and of course, raising and eating watermelons.

Survivors include his children, James (Ilene Bauman) Schmitz, David (Donna) Schmitz, Linda Yates, Timothy Schmitz, Debra (Dan) Beeler, Kay Gates, Rhonda St.Clair and Dustin (April) Schmitz, as well as many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Surviving siblings include Joan (Jack d.) Black, Judy Schmitz, Dan (Linda d.) Schmitz, Alice (Dale) Peters, Cindy Moss, and Philip Schmitz. Jim is also survived by brother-in-law Bob (Barbara d.) Forrester and sisters-in-law Jean (Jose d.) DelValle, Colleen (Garry) Becker and Sharon (Ivan) Hall and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Jim was preceded in death by his wife, Ann, two infant siblings, Constance and Robert, four other siblings, Ruth (John) Krietemeyer, Leo Schmitz, Rose Sharpe, and Patricia (Dave) Stegeman. He was also preceded in death by a daughter-in-law, Toni Schmitz, a son-in-law Gene Yates and two grandsons, Matthew Wilson and Luis Schmitz as well as a granddaughter-in-law, Susan Schmitz.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents-in-law, Bill and Eva Dale Forrester, brothers-in-law, Bud (Thelma) Forrester, Junior (Evelyn) Forrester, Donald (Launa) Forrester and infant John Forrester as well as sisters-in-law Darlene (George) Freemire, Helen (Howard) Baker, Esther (Wayne) Martin, and Sue (Jim) Head.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at 10:00 am at St Michael Catholic Church in Kahoka, MO. Father Rob Fields Presiding with burial at the Wyaconda Cemetary.

Visitation with family presents will be held at the Wilson & Triplett Funeral Home, Friday, April 10, 2026, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Memorials in memory of James Schmitz are suggested to the Wyaconda Cemetery. You are invited to share your memories of Jim and may leave a condolence at www.wilsontriplett.com.