John G. "Tony" Schmidt, Jr. of Appleton, passed away at home at age 88 of natural causes on Tuesday, May 30, 2023.  John was born in Mackville (Town of Center) on March 28, 1935, to the late John and Clara (Griesbach) Schmidt.  On July 20, 1957, he wed Jo Ann Reinke at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Appleton.  John served in the U.S. Army where he had an Elvis sighting while stationed in Germany.  John worked various jobs from milk truck driver to trimmer operator in a paper mill.  He enjoyed a long retirement, with he and his wife taking his 1963 Chevy Impala to local car shows, going polka dancing, bowling for many years in a couple's league at Village Lanes, and going out for perch at the Darboy Club.  He was dedicated to keeping weeds out of his lawn and tending to his late wife's flower gardens.  John was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Appleton.

John is survived by his three children: son Greg (Patty) Schmidt, Appleton, and daughters Lori Budzinski, Fennimore, and Amy (John) Vanden Oever, Sosua, Dominican Republic; six grandchildren:  Alex (Tiphany) Schmidt, Weston, Jacob Schmidt, Neenah, Johnny (fiancée Timmie Merkl) Vanden Oever, Darboy, Eric Vanden Oever, Little Chute, Angela (Eric) Robertson, Bethesda, MD, and Brianne (fiancé Mason Eck) Budzinski, Platteville; three great-grandchildren: Willow Vanden Oever, Bennett Schmidt, and Liana Schmidt; three brothers:  Ray Schmidt, Mackville, Melv (Mary) Schmidt, Apple Creek, and Bob (Barb) Schmidt, Appleton; a sister: Millie Weyenberg, Apple Creek; three brothers-in-law:  Lenny Thiel, Apple Creek, Jim (Sue) Reinke, Vesper, and Bob Reinke, Appleton; two sisters-in-law:  Judy Schmidt, Neenah, and Jean Neubauer, Neenah; and many nieces and nephews.

John was preceded in death by his wife Jo Ann, his parents John and Clara, his parents-in-law: George and Antoinette Reinke; three brothers: Don Schmidt, Francis Schmidt, and Cyril "Charlie" Schmidt; sister Marion Thiel; six brothers-in-law: Don Weyenberg, Herman Schultz, Mike Bunnell, Richard Neubauer, Jerry Reinke, and George Reinke, Jr.; four sisters-in-law:  Ann Schmidt, Alice Schultz, Carol Bunnell, Pat Reinke; and son-in-law Bill "Bud" Budzinski.

A memorial service will take place at 10:30 am on Wednesday, June 28th, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 404 W. Lawrence St. Appleton, followed by full military honors.  Friends may visit on Wednesday from 9 am until 10:15 am.  Inurnment will take place at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established.

Dad, we love you and you will be greatly missed.  May you be at peace and without pain.