Melville F. Schmitz

Melville Frank Schmitz, lovingly known as "PawPaw," of Houston, Texas, passed away peacefully at the age of 94 at his residence on Friday, January 31st, 2025. Mel was born at home on August 13th, 1930, in New Orleans, Louisiana, to Otto Wilhelm Schmitz and Katherine Brackel Schmitz.
Mel was an honor student at Jesuit High School of New Orleans, and also played on the football team. After high school, Mel attended Loyola University of New Orleans for two years. Mel loved his country and joined the Marine Corps on August 15, 1950. He served proudly and bravely in the Korean War Conflict until March 9th,1952. Mel reached the rank of First Sergeant and received an honorable Marine Corps medal for his courageous service to his country.
After receiving an honorable discharge, Mel attended Southeastern Louisiana University for two years and graduated with a business degree. He worked briefly for Lion Oil Company, and then went to work for Texaco Oil Company in New Orleans. Mel was transferred to Houston, Texas, and moved his family there in October of 1964. He worked for Texaco as an accountant until he took early retirement.
Mel met his beloved Maebell Elizabeth LeFebvre and married her on May 11th, 1957, In St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church in New Orleans.They were married for 67 blessed years and raised their family in the Catholic Church. They had 5 girls and 2 boys, thirteen grandchildren, and twenty great grandchildren with another great grandchild due at the end of this month.
Mel was a devoted Catholic with a deep love for God, family, and country. He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather, and was greatly loved and respected by his family. He loved spending time with family, friends, and his beloved dog Oreo. He also enjoyed playing golf, watching sports and politics on television, and sitting outside listening to Patsy Cline songs and watching the birds and squirrels. Mel believed in financially supporting the SPCA and the Disabled Veterans Organization.
Mel is preceded in death by his parents Otto and Katherine Schmitz, and his son-in-laws, Gary Horelka (wife Diana) and Tony Rios (wife Sharon). He was deeply loved and leaves behind his wife of 67 years, Maebell; his seven children, Beth (husband Bill), Mary, Sharon, Diana, Teresa, Chris, and Glenn; his thirteen grandchildren, Jason (wife Natasha), Christopher (wife Lindsey), Michael (wife Chelsea), Katie (husband Chris), Sebastian (wife Breann), David (wife Courtney), Garrett (wife Sissy), Tricia, Lauren, Nicolaus (partner Kaylee), C.J., Melville (wife Dineane), and Dalton. Mel also leaves behind twenty (plus one on the way) great grandchildren,and a host of loving extended family and friends.
A visitation to honor the life of Mel ("PawPaw") is scheduled for Thursday, February 20th, 2025, from 3PM to 7 PM at the Woodlawn Funeral Home Chapel. A rosary will be held at 6 PM during the visitation. On the next day, February 21st, 2025, a private family service with a Marine Corps honors military service will be held at Houston Veterans Memorial Cemetery.
The family of Mel is grateful for the compassionate care received from our dear friend Edris Ajose, Nurse Chioma from Royal Opal Home Healthcare, and the staff from Buena Vida Hospice.