Theodore A. Schmalz

IRONWOOD, Mich. - Theodore A. Schmalz of Bessemer, died Monday, Sept. 14, 2020, in Ironwood, at Westgate Nursing, Rehabilitation, and Assisted Living Community less than two months after the passing of his beloved wife Alicia.

He was born Aug. 9, 1933, in Ironwood, son of the late Theodore C. and Linnea (Jokopii) Schmalz. He attended Newport grade school and graduated from Luther L. Wright High School in 1951.

He married the former Alicia M. Simmons on Aug. 2, 1958, at St. Ambrose Catholic Church in Ironwood. They welcomed a son, Ted R. Schmalz, into their home on April 3, 1973. He remained the joy of Ted and Alicia's lives until a tragic swimming accident took his life on Sept. 18, 1988.

Ted was employed by the Ironwood Daily Globe, Bakkas Tire Shop, and P.J. Nickel Construction. He served in the U.S. Army from May 1953 at Darmstadt, Germany, and at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, until he was honorably discharged in 1955. He then worked at Evinrude Motors and Construction, returned to Ironwood in 1967 and worked for Prudential Insurance, Pepsi Cola of Hurley, Wisconsin, and then for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources until his retirement in 1988.

Ted was an artist of many talents, most notably for his woodworking and carpentry, and painted portraits of people and subjects of special interest to him. His family was the recipient of many beautiful coat trees, children's furniture, and birdhouses. He was a member of the Bessemer Volunteer Fire Department, VFW, and American Legion, and was an active member of St. Sebastian Catholic Church in Bessemer.

Ted was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 62 years, Alicia; son, Teddy; mother and father-in-law; brothers, Arnie and Richard; nephew, Raymond Allen; niece, Linda Favero; great-nephew, Justin Weirauch; brothers-in-law, Jim and Ron Simmons; and sister-in-law, Doreen Simmons.

Ted is survived by his brother-in-law and best friend of 70 years Raymond (Gloria) Simmons; sisters-in-law, Marguerite Koski of Negaunee, and Mary Lou Lorenson of Ironwood; brother-in-law, Brian Simmons of Wakefield; and his beloved nieces, nephew, and their families.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held Saturday, Sept. 19, at St. Sebastian Catholic Church in Bessemer at 11 a.m. with Fr. Dominic Agyapong as celebrant, preceded by visitation from 10 a.m. until the time of the Mass.

Following the service, rites of committal and interment will be in the Hillcrest Cemetery in Bessemer. Military rites will be presented by the American Legion Post 5 of Ironwood.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests gifts are made to St. Sebastian in Ted's memory.

The family has chosen McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home of Ironwood to honor Ted's legacy of life. You can leave a condolence or a tribute at mckevittpatrickfuneralhome.com.

"If there ever comes a day when we can't be together, keep me in your heart, I'll stay there forever." -A.A. Milne, Author