Fred L. Schmitz, 75, Fort Recovery, Ohio, died June 20, 2017 at Lima Memorial Hospital, Lima, OH.

He was born July 29, 1941, in Fort Recovery, OH, to the late Charles and Armella (Sanderell) Schmitz. On June 13, 1964, in Cranberry, OH, he married Mary (Albers) Schmitz, who survives.

Also surviving are their five children and their spouses, Kathy and Paul Prenger of Coldwater, OH, Diane and Deacon Randy Balster of St. Henry, OH, Doug and Vicki Schmitz of Fort Recovery, OH, Steve and Amy Schmitz of Fort Recovery, OH and Greg and Julie Schmitz of Fort Recovery, OH; two brothers, Ron (Marlene) Schmitz of Miamisburg, OH and Jerry (Marlene) Schmitz of Fort Recovery, OH; fourteen grandchildren; a brother-in-law, Joe (Betty) Mescher of Versailles, OH; his in-laws, Bob Albers of North Star, OH, Sr. Ann Cecil Albers of Cincinnati, OH, Jim (Judy) Albers of Wapakoneta, OH, Charlene (Herb) Homan of Fort Recovery, OH, and Mary Barlage of Wapakoneta, OH;

Preceding him in death are an infant grandson, Randy, an infant brother, Charles, a sister, Mary Ann Mescher, and in-laws, Betty and Rich Schulze, Rita and Alvin Barlage, Barbara Albers and Joann Albers.

Fred graduated from Fort Recovery High School in 1959. He retired from Cooper Farms, Fort Recovery, where he served as sales manager. He was past president of the Ohio Poultry Association and was a two time recipient of the prestigious Golden Egg Award.

Fred believed in and enjoyed serving in the community. He was a member of the Fort Recovery Ambassadors, the Progressive Sportsman Club, the Fort Recovery Gun Club, all of Fort Recovery, OH, the Knights of St. John, Maria Stein, OH and an avid NRA member. He also was past chief of the Burkettsville Fire Department. Fred was a member of Mary Help of Christians Catholic Church, Fort Recovery, OH, and had served as a lector for many years.

Fred loved life. He enjoyed hunting, taking trips to the casino with friends, participating and having fun at the Progressive Sportsman's Trader's Days, playing cards, especially the forty-eight years of getting together with the guys at poker club each month, and conversing over morning coffee at North End Restaurant.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 am Saturday, June 24, 2017 at Mary Help of Christians Catholic Church, Fort Recovery, Ohio, with Fr. Ned Brown officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

Calling is 2:00 pm-8:00 pm Friday and 9:00 am-10:00 am Saturday at Brockman-Boeckman Funeral Home, Fort Recovery, Ohio.

In lieu of flowers and gifts, the family wishes that memorial contributions be directed to the Fred Schmitz Memorial Fund c/o the Fort Recovery Community Foundation.

Condolences may be sent to www.brockmanboeckmanfh.com.