Bernard "Ben" Nicholas Schmitz

Bernard “Ben” Nicholas Schmitz, 100, of Gilbertville, died Friday, May 22, at Mercy One Waterloo of natural causes. He was born September 19, 1919, in Fox Township on the family farm in Black Hawk County, the son of Michael and Anna Kettman Schmitz. He married Blanche Schares on November 19, 1946, in Gilbertville and she preceded him in death on November 27, 1995. Ben served in the United States Army during World War II and farmed in the area until his retirement. He was a founding member and past commander of the American Legion Nugent Demuth Post 714 in Gilbertville and a member of the Catholic Order of Foresters, Court 1099. Survivors include: four daughters, Judy Schmitz of Cedar Falls, Jane (Dave) Brokel of Riverside, Sue (Jim) Chizek of Cedar Falls, and Debra Schmitz of Cedar Falls, two sons, Jerry (Brian) of Muscatine and John (Wendy) of Nevada; twelve grandchildren; Brian Brokel of Waterloo, Karen Schmitz of Denver, Colo, Dustin (Heather) Brokel of Rockford, Nicholas Schmitz of San Diego, Calif, Beth (Brad) Nordin of Lakeville, Minn, Melissa Schmitz of Austin, Texas, Katie Schmitz of San Tan Valley, Ariz, Matt Chizek of Waterloo, Megan Chizek of New York City, Sarah, Luke and Joe Schmitz all of Nevada; two great-grandchildren, Kylie and Ryan Brokel of Rockford; a sister, Edna (Claude) LaFlamme of Waterloo; three daughters-in-law, Evie Schmitz of Bailey, Colo, Rose Schmitz of Houston, Texas, and Cheryl Steffen of Dunkerton; four sisters-in-law, Florence Dittmer, Agnes (Hank) Schnelle, Rosalea (Al) Schmelzer and Arlene Schares; numerous nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by: three sons, Leland, Dean, and Roy; a grandson, Joshua Schmitz; three sisters, Gertrude Schares, Mildred Frost, and Marcella Schmitz; three brothers, Roman, Michael, and Harold Schmitz. Services: Private family services will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, May 26, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church with burial in St. Mary’s Cemetery, both in Gilbertville. A live stream of the mass will air on the Immaculate Conception/St. Joseph Facebook page. Full military rites will be conducted by the American Legion Nugent Demuth Post 714, assisted by the Iowa Army Honor Guard. Hagarty-Waychoff-Grarup Funeral Service on West Ridgeway is in charge of arrangements. Memorials: may be made to Immaculate Conception Catholic Church P.O. Box 136, Gilbertville, IA. 50634.