(Jake) Schmidt

Coal Valley, Illinois
John C. ?Jake? Schmidt, 72, of Coal Valley, Illinois, a decorated Vietnam Veteran, left this world, yet not our memories, on Sunday, April 5, 2009, when he died at Trinity Medical Center, Rock Island, Illinois. All who knew him will miss him.
Services are 11 a.m. Thursday in the Celebration of Life Chapel at Trimble Funeral and Cremation Center, Coal Valley. Burial is in Coal Valley Cemetery, where Colona American Legion will present military honors. Visitation is one hour before the services. Memorials may be made to Honor Flight of the Quad Cities or Vietnam Veterans of America.
Jake was born February 11, 1937, at St. Anthony?s Hospital, Rock Island, to Margaret W. (Taube) and John Schmidt Sr. He graduated from Rock Island High School and was a faithful Rocks fan until the day he died. Immediately after graduating from high school, he enlisted in the United State Army. He considered it his duty and a great honor to protect his fellow Americans? rights and privileges. While most of his military career was served in Europe, Jake was a Vietnam Veteran and awarded the Bronze Star Medal while serving in combat. After 20 years in the Army, he retired as a Staff Sergeant from Fort Gordon, Georgia, in 1975, and chose Coal Valley as his permanent home.
He was an active member of his community and went out of his way to help anyone in need. He channeled most of his energies through the Coal Valley Lions Club, which he served as President and later as Deputy District Director. Jake managed the Lion?s Building in Coal Valley for several years, was employed at Oak Glen Home in Coal Valley, and worked for Staack Florist in Moline for ten years.
He was an avid sports fan and participated in just about every sport his high school offered, his true passion being basketball. GO ROCKS! He was a lifetime member of the American Legion in Colona, Illinois, and an Honor Guard participant. He was a junk food fanatic, a popcorn addict, a beer drinker, played (and cheated) at Euchre like a pro, loved the company of family and close friends, and was known for being a practical joker. He also made the best damn meatloaf anyone has ever eaten! Jake was also no stranger to disappointment as he was a dedicated Chicago Bears and Chicago Cubs fan. He also enjoyed Illini basketball.
Jake is survived by his siblings, Bob and Donna Schmidt and their children, Don, Ellen, Bobby and Amy, Ron Schmidt and his children, Dawn, Kim, Ron, and Chris, and Gary and Pat Schmidt and their children, Jodi and Mike; and many other family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; his Grandpa Taube; his aunts and an uncle, Helen Taube, Dorothy Lyons, and Erna and Owen Taube, his cousin, Sandra Mitchell, his sister and brother-in-law, Bev and Ollie Bearman, his brother, Don Schmidt, and his sister-in-law, Zelma ?Garrie? Schmidt.
Special recognition goes out to Dr. Wang and the nursing staff of Crossroads Unit at Oak Glen Home. Their care of Jake was truly incredible and much of the time beyond the call of duty. Thank you. Thoughts and thanks also go out to the Trimble family and everyone at Staack Florist. Not only were you terrific employers, you were also good friends. Jake loved you very much.
Jake?s family invites friends to share a story about him, sign his guestbook, or light a candle in his memory at www.TrimbleFuneralHomes.com.