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Steven Michael Schmitzer
Born: 7/15/1954
Died: 6/13/2024
Age: 69
Community: Flint, MI
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SCHMITZER, Steven Michael – of Flint, MI, age 69, passed away peacefully on Thursday, June 13, 2024 at his home surrounded by his sons. Cremation has taken place. A Celebration of Steve’s Life will be held 1-6 PM Sunday, July 21, 2024 with Military Honors at 3 PM under the auspices of the Davison American Legion Post #267 at the Davison VFW Post #4087 Hall, 8031 East Court Street, Davison, MI 48423.
Steve was born in Flint, MI on July 15, 1954, son of the late Darwin and Marjorie Lou (Pafford) Schmitzer. At the age of 18, Steve left home and joined the U.S. Navy where he was stationed in Guam and fought in the Vietnam War. He flew in battle and was also part of the Fall of Saigon. Steve was active duty for six years. Upon his return home, he worked at Fessler and Bowman, retiring after 24 years of service.
During one of his jobs with Fessler and Bowman, Steve relocated to Colorado where he, Steve’s brother, Dean, and multiple friends rented an A-frame house on the side of a Colorado mountain. During their time there, a young woman would ride down the mountain past the house on a horse bareback. That woman ended up being the love of Steve’s life, his wife and mother of his children, Joy Jane Acheson-Schmitzer. Their love was fierce, and they drove each other wild. A love that should be part of a story book. Joy passed in 2018. Though there is much grief in the passing of both of our parents it gives us peace that they are now reunited.
In that same A-frame house, on the side of a mountain, their first son, Darwin Clifford Schmitzer was born. Due to complications of Darwin being premature and the altitudes of Colorado they moved back to Michigan to save their baby boy’s life. They settled in Davison, MI where they had their youngest son, Steven’s namesake, Steven Micheal Schmitzer Jr. or “Mike”.
Mike not only was given his father’s name, but he also has a love for concrete. Mike followed in his father’s footsteps and has been employed with Fessler and Bowman for more than 15 years. When Steve’s health began to decline, Micheal came home from work in Louisiana to not only be close to him, but to care for him in his last stages of life. Words cannot express the gratitude for Mike.
Steve loved his wife, sons and family more than anything in the world. He was a very involved father, attending all their sporting events and practices, his love to grill for them and teaching them determination and dignity along the way. Steve would wake them up in the morning blasting the song “Good Morning” by the Beatles. He would tell them, “You gotta wake up in the morning and grab the day by the balls and squeeze!!” and also, “Look out world I’m coming through!!”
After Steve retired, he took classes at Mott Community College for technology and controls. It was very important to him to continue to learn and never stay idle. Steve chose these classes not only to learn, but to be able to relate and converse with his oldest son about his career as a Robotics engineer.
Steve was not a materialistic man. He worked hard for everything he had and built a beautiful life for himself. Ultimately, Steve only cared that the people around him were taken care of. Steve would give you the shirt off his back if you needed it. He was a role model and father figure to many. I’m sure many of us have stories of tough love; it was love, nonetheless.
Steve was bullheaded, sarcastic, very particular, outspoken, stubborn, determined, loved to pick at people, but so very graceful. He would tell you when you F***ed up, but had unconditional empathy and loved even deeper.
His favorite pastime was sitting in his backyard rain or shine and cooking on the grill. He loved when friends, family and neighbors (neighbors whom have always been more like family) would stop by to say “Hi”.
He loved watching his grand-kids, Malik, Zane and Joslyn Schmitzer, play in the yard, but couldn’t look into their eyes without tears falling to his cheeks because of the joy and pride they brought him. He made it a point to thank his favorite daughter-in-law (only daughter-in-law), Samantha, each time he saw her for loving his son, being a part of the family and creating a beautiful family, his grandchildren. He was a hell of a man and he will be missed for eternity.
Steven is survived by 2 sons, Darwin (Samantha) Schmitzer and Steven Michael Schmitzer Jr.; 3 grandchildren, Malik Schmitzer, Zane Schmitzer and Joslyn Schmitzer; 3 sisters, Sandy (Jim) Droze, Christy Schmitzer and Judy Schmitzer; god-daughter, Jenny (Chad) Woycehoski; brother-in-law, Darren Reid; many other loving family members and good friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Darwin and Marjorie Lou Schmitzer Sr.; wife, Joy Jane-Acheson Schmitzer; brother, Dean Schmitzer and sister, Tracy Reid.
Please share your thoughts with the family at www.allenfuneralhomeinc.com
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| Visitation |
| Date: |
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7/21/2024 |
| Time: |
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1:00 PM |
| 1-6pm Sunday at Davison VFW Post #4087 Hall, 8031 E. Court St., Davison, MI 48423 |
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| Funeral Service |
| No Service |
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