Geraldine Schmidt

Geraldine Opal Schmidt Geraldine "Jeri" Opal (Miller) Schmidt, born on April 11, 1924 in Akron, Ohio, to the late Oma Miller and the late Frank Miller, passed away at age 94 on January 14, 2019 in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Geraldine attended The Ohio State University and ultimately graduated from Western Michigan University in 1972 at the age of 47. She went on to pursue her Masters in Library Science before accepting a teaching position at Waylee Elementary and then Haverhill Elementary. She taught for 20 years until she retired in 1992. Geraldine served in the Navy in World War II. Geraldine was the loving wife of the late Burton J Schmidt. She was preceded in death by her brothers, Grover Miller and Dale Miller; and sister, Marilyn "Jean" Arel. Geraldine is survived by her sons, Rick and Michael; daughters, Pamela, Susan, and Robyn; and sisters, JoAnn Mullins and Catherine Livingston. In addition to 11 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. Jeri fortuitously moved to Lake Forest in 1995 to "granny nanny" as she called it and during her time there met the love of her life, Burt Schmidt, at a local bowling alley. They enjoyed love and hilarity for 19 years until Burt passed in 2015. Jeri was an avid hiker who completed the 50 mile Trek for Life in the UP while she was living in Portage. In addition, she had a lifelong passion for bowling and enjoyed coming in second at her surprise 90th birthday party. (She would have preferred first!) Jeri was a lifelong knitter, reader, and storyteller as well as a passionate sports fan who saw her beloved Cubs win the World Series and her beloved Ohio State teams win many championships. Jeri will be forever remembered for her kindness, love for all, and dedication to her family. The family invites donations in Geraldine's name to Alzheimers Disease Research. A memorial service will be held at a later date to celebrate her amazing life.