Raymond Schmitz was born on April 4, 1928 near Bonesteel, SD to John T. and Helen (Derner) Schmitz and died at the age of 86 on March 29, 2015 at the Burke Community Hospital in Burke, SD.

Ray was baptized at the Bonesteel Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. He attended country school through eighth grade and worked for various farmers. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy during World War II and also served his country as a U.S. Marine during the Korean War. He was united in marriage to Irma Bailey on July 7, 1953 at Bonesteel Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. They made many friends while living in Bonesteel, Pickstown, Yankton; Sheldon, IA; St. Charles and Naper, NE where Ray resided until moving to Burke in August 2014.

Ray was a dedicated member of the American Legion Allen Loudon Post 220 in Herrick where he served as commander for 15 years. He was a member of the first South Dakota Honor Flight to Washington, DC. in 2009. Ray served on the Naper school board, the Sacred Heart Catholic Church parish council and was a member of the Knights of Columbus.

Ray is survived by four children: Jerry (Valerie) of Phelps, NY; Lisa (Lonny) of Watertown, SD; Jay (Carla) of Herrick, SD; and Jill (Rod) Thompson of Casper, WY; eight grandchildren: Natalie (Matt) Palmlund of Bancroft, SD; Nicole Fuhrer of Orlando, FL; Michele (Tom) Hurt of Beatrice, NE; Matt Fuhrer of Cocoa, FL; Austin (Megan) Schmitz of Pierre, SD; Racheal Schmitz of Scottsdale, AZ; Rebecca Thompson of Laramie, WY and Jacob Thompson of Casper, WY; eight great grandchildren: Haden, Kendra, Ethan and Clara Palmlund; Julian Hurt; and McCahl, Max, and Morgen Schmitz; three brothers: Dick of Gregory, SD; John (Judy) of Stuart, NE; Ralph (Robin) of Mission, SD; and two sisters: Agnes (Ray) Engelhaupt of Spencer, NE and Alice Mae (Charlie) Fuchs of Pickstown, SD.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Irma in 1999, parents, three brothers: Joe, Bernard, and Ted; and two sisters: Cecilia Schwaller and Dolly Bechtold.

He enjoyed playing pitch, visiting Las Vegas and Florida, selling beer at the Burke Rodeo, serving pancakes on Sunday mornings, dealing blackjack at the Legion, keeping in contact with his family and friends through email, Facebook, and Skype and drowning worms with his brother, Dick.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, April 2, 2015 at 10:30 AM at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Bonesteel, SD. Burial will be in the Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery, Naper, NE. There will be a rosary on Wednesday at 7:00 PM at the church. Visitation will begin at 5:00 pm on Wednesday, and will also be held one hour prior to funeral service on Thursday, at the Church.