Donald (Don) Lee Schmidt, age 82, passed away on May 18, 2025 at his home surrounded by his family and under the care of Hospice of Lenawee. Don was born on April 2, 1943, and was the fifth son born to Herman and Alma (Starkey) Schmidt. On January 18, 1975 he married his wife, Joy of 50 years, and along with Joy brought into his life her daughters, Wendy and Julie Holdridge. In 1977, their family was blessed with the birth of their son, Brandon Schmidt.
In his early adult life Don joined the United States Army in 1961 having served with the 4th Infantry Division. During his time in the service he was stationed in Berlin, Germany on the occasion of the first anniversary of the rise of the Berlin Wall. Don received an honorable discharge from the Army after completing his term of service in 1963.
In 1965 he joined the workforce at the newly opened Fisher Body Plant, where he worked until he was placed on medical disability due to a diagnosed neurologic condition. During his time at Fisher Body, he was a proud member of the United Auto Workers Union and served as a Union Committeeman for many years. While at Fisher Body he was one of the first General Motors employees trained to operate an innovative automated sewing machine used in the production of leather seats used in many of the automaker’s vehicles. Don officially retired from the auto industry in 1990.
Not one to be limited by such things as the diagnosis of a potentially catastrophic neurologic disease, Don, through his strong will and self-determination and with the support of his family embarked on the goal of obtaining his GED. This endeavor, which Don successfully completed, was undertaken with the Adrian Public Schools system and at least temporarily made him an “Adrian Maple upon graduation. But Don had always been and would always be a Tecumseh boy at heart and went on to create a new professional life for himself in his photography business, as well as manager of the Tecumseh T Club. Most importantly his various jobs within the Tecumseh Public School system, allowed for him to be “transfused” back into the Tecumseh Indian he always was! And it would be wrong for us not to acknowledge his love of the Michigan Wolverines.
Don began coaching Junior High football in 1989 and later expanded his coaching responsibilities to include Junior High track. After his coaching years were completed in the year 2000, he was asked to take a job as a crossing guard at Patterson and then Sutton Elementary schools until a 2021 diagnosis of cancer forced “Mr. Don” as he was so affectionately called by the school children, to give up that job as well in 2023. Once again, Don said “no” to an early demise and fought valiantly for over 4 years, choosing his own course of treatment that allowed him to spend quality time with his wife, and watching as many of his grandson’s basketball and baseball games as he possibly could.
Don will be sadly missed by his wife Joy, his children Wendy (Bill) Beardsley, of Saline, Julie (Tom) Wright and Brandon (Amanda) Schmidt of Tecumseh. His grandchildren, Rachel Beardsley (Zach) Lafler, Sarah Beardsley (Alex) Taylor, Evan Beardsley and Emma Beardsley.Jacob (Holly) Wright and Karlie Wright (Jon) Baird, as well as Zeke and Hank Schmidt. In addition to his grandchildren he will be missed by his 7 great-grandchildren, Bentley and Kally Baird: Elijah, Hunter and Evelyn Lafler; and Olivia and Sophia Wright.
Don is survived by his brothers and their wives, Bruce (Dee) Schmidt, Raymond (Linda) Schmidt, Keith (Kathy) Schmidt, Harvey (Pat) Schmidt, and his sister Mary Schmidt Dunham all of Tecumseh and his brother Glenn (Jackie) Schmidt, of Adrian and a half-sister, Suzanne Francoeur of Sand Creek, MI.
Funeral services are scheduled to be held on Wednesday, June 4, 2025 at the Handler Funeral Home in Tecumseh, with visitation beginning at 10:00 AM until 12:00 noon with services to begin immediately following the visitation. Military honors will be held under the auspices of The Tecumseh American Legion Post 34 and the Tecumseh VFW Post 4187. The family suggests that those in attendance, if they are inclined to do so, wear their favorite Tecumseh Indian apparel or an orange or black garment of their liking.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to and designated for the Tecumseh High School Boys Basketball team and the Tecumseh High School Boys Baseball Team or Hospice of Lenawee.