Carl Heinrich Schmitt

April 4, 1930 ~ October 13, 2010
Carl H. Schmitt was born in Berea, Ohio on April 4, 1930 to Roland Lee Schmitt and Elsie Rose Schmitt.
He joined the United States Marine corps in 1947 and rose in leadership, becoming a Gunnery Lieutenant, training the young men headed to the war zone in Korea. He was stationed in Hawaii. After he served, he returned stateside and met a beautiful young woman, Marlene Martini of Napa CA at Vichy Springs Recreation Center. After a brief courtship they fell in love, and were married in Reno Nevada on December 13, 1952. Together they raised four daughters.
Carl worked for Stonetta's Dairy from 1952 to 1967. He had quite an entrepreneurial spirit and set out to own his own milk distributorship. He saved his money and purchased the Carnation Milk Distributorship. His territories were Napa Valley, Solano and Sonoma counties. In addition, he maintained a Managing Partnership in Napa Ice and Cold Storage, and was the sole proprietor for Mr. Carl's Coffee Shop, Mr. Carl's Bakery and K&W Frozen Food Co. He had numerous other small business ventures during the next eight years as well. In later years he worked for Napa Valley College and Lucky Warehouse Distribution Co. He was a proud member of the Teamsters Union Local #490 and the Moose Lodge, Vallejo #468.
His favorite pastimes were traveling up the coast to Oregon, Washington and British Columbia, golf and attending the dances at the Moose Lodge in Vallejo.
He is survived by his daughters, Wendy Suvino and partner Jeff Mihelish, Napa; Vickie Schmitt and spouse Susan Cooper, Napa; Laurie Schmitt, Clearlake and Trina Reeves, Napa. He has two granddaughters, Risha Johnson, American Canyon and Nicole Suvino, Napa; great-grandchildren Troy Johnson Jr., Kayelynne Johnson and Gino Suvino-Vinatieri all of Napa; a beloved sister, Laura Lee Romp of Vermillion, Ohio, whom he dearly cherished; nephews Bill (and Molly Romp) of Vermillion Ohio; Thomas (and Mary Jane Romp) of Birmingham Ala.; Kenneth Guild, Wisconsin, Gary Guild, Ohio; nieces Karen Szekeres of Ohio; Marie Panza, Florida as well as 13 nieces and nephews living in Napa and Sacramento. He was predeceased by his parents and brothers Edson, Norman and William. He is well loved and will be sorely missed.
Carl was a very well liked, kind and generous man… but he also had his stubborn side. He could be a real stinker at times… in fact, quite the character! He was a man of exceptional integrity with an amazing work ethic. He always found a friend in everyone he met. He had many, many friends who will miss him dearly.
Memorial services are planned in Clearlake on Friday, October 29 at 12 noon, at his home. Please contact Laurie Schmitt at 995-1864 for further information. Memorial services in Napa are planned for Saturday, November 13 at Tulocay Meeting Hall at 1 p.m. Contributions are welcome and can be made to the American Veteran's of War, Ft. Miley San Francisco, Hospice of Clearlake CA or the American Cancer Society.
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