Lavern E. Schmit, age 87, of Celina, died on Monday, October 24, 2016 at Briarwood Village, Coldwater.

He was born October 4, 1929 in Coldwater to the late Gebhard E. & Frances (Nussman) Schmit. On January 28, 1967 he married Charline E. (Barhorst) Homan-Schmit and she died August 30, 2011.

He is survived by eight children, Kevin & Lisa Schmit of New Bremen, Elaine & Allen Bohman of Osgood, Kathleen & Roger Brunswick of St. Henry, Werner & Lorie Homan of Noblesville, Indiana, Marvin & Geri Homan of Coldwater, Marilyn & Glenn Simon of Tipp City, Timothy & Joan Homan of Montezuma, and Gregory & Jane Homan of Celina; 22 grandchildren; 30 great-grandchildren; siblings, Lillian Perkins of Coldwater, Frances Ann Schmit of Coldwater and Mary Jean Schmit of Coldwater and a sister-in-law Rosemary Schmit of Michigan.

He is preceded in death by siblings and in-laws, Donald & Agnes Schmit, Ralph Schmit, Richard Schmit and Richard Perkins.

Lavern joined the United States Air Force in 1951 and was trained as a radio operator. He was stationed at Elmendorf Air Force Base in Alaska until 1956.

He was a member of Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, and Coldwater V.F.W. He retired from the former New Idea Plant in Coldwater.

Lavern was an avid Cincinnati Reds fan and enjoyed camping with his family and fishing.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 AM on Saturday, October 29, 2016 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, Montezuma. Burial with military rites will follow in Our Lady of Guadalupe Cemetery, Montezuma.

Friends may call from 2 to 7 PM on Friday and 9 to 10 am Saturday at the Hogenkamp Funeral Home in Coldwater.

Condolences may be left at hogenkampfh.com.