In Memory Of

John Valentine Schmitz, 98, died peacefully in his home surrounded by family on May 13, 2025.  He was born on December 11, 1926 in Little Neck, N.Y. to Val A. Schmitz and Julia Hughes Schmitz. He graduated from Plandome Road School, Dwight School of New York and Massachusetts Institute of Technology where he served as president of Phi Kappa Theta. He served in the Navy for two years as an aviation electronic technician. After college he took a position with I.B.M. in 1952, serving in a variety of engineering positions until his retirement in 1991. John married Phyllis Madajewski on June 30, 1962, in Kingston, N.Y. and subsequently, they moved to Hyde Park, N.Y. and later Gaithersburg, MD, where they raised their family and developed life-long friendships. Later in retirement, he and his wife retreated to the warmer weather in Florida. In his post college days, he was active in scouting, boating, photography and ham radio activities. After marriage, John became more focused on creating and maintaining a home that nurtured his family, offering all opportunities to grow and thrive.

John is survived by his wife, Phyllis; his sons, John Jr. (Krissy), Smithsburg, MD. Michael (Fawn), Carlsbad, CA; and daughters, Anne (David), Burnsville, NC and Karen (Dana), Fruit Cove, FL; five grandsons: Cameron, Joshua, and Alex Knies, Austin Schmitz, Anthony John Gowda; one granddaughter, Taylor Schmitz; and several nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents his sister, Dorothea; and his brother, Robert.  

Memorial services and burial will be held at a later date. Donations in John’s memory can be made to Community Hospice, 4266 Sunbeam Rd. Jacksonville, FL 32257 or Sulzbacher Housing, Health care, 611 East Adams St. Jacksonville, FL 32202.