Julie Ann Mihalec Schmidt

Julie Ann Schmidt – 56, passed peacefully on Wednesday, September 5, 2012 at Visiting Nurse & Hospice Home. Born June 5, 1956 in Toledo, Ohio, she lived most of her life in Fort Wayne. A graduate of Northrop High school, Julie married Jerry W. Schmidt in 1975 and within two years had two beautiful daughters. She was a homemaker for many years, and later, as her children grew, she began to work outside the home. Julie thoroughly enjoyed working; it suited her outgoing personality. She started her career in retail – first in fine jewelry and then in the furniture business, where Julie worked in the office at Leath Furniture for many years. Most recently she was an Assistant Branch Manager for Fort Financial Credit Union at the Churubusco Branch. Cheerful and friendly, her good humor was contagious to anyone she encountered. She enjoyed sewing and was a wonderful seamstress, making clothing for her children and grandchildren. Julie also loved camping at Lake Michigan and spent many years vacationing there. A kind, gentle, and cheerful daughter, sister, wife, mother and grandmother, Julie loved spending time with her family. Whether in simple get-togethers, formal occasions, or helping her loved ones through sickness and difficult times, she served as the family’s guardian, on whom her loved ones relied. She is survived by her husband of 36 years, Jerry Schmidt and their two daughters, Jamie Jentgen (Joseph) and Jacquelyn Wallace (Christopher) and five grandchildren: Sidney Jentgen, Aaron Jentgen, Kayla Skevington, Addyson Wallace and Rylan Wallace, all of Fort Wayne. She also is survived by her mother, Margie Ottinger of Fort Wayne as well as her five siblings: Tina Mihalec of Fort Wayne, Shelly Saddler (Stan) of Kokomo, IN, John Mihalec of Angola, IN, Matthew Mihalec of Fort Wayne and Guy Ottinger (Nancy) of Allen Park, Mi. Though much too short, Julie’s life was cheerfully and fully lived. She will be missed and loved by all who knew her. Funeral Service is 11 a.m. Monday, September 10, 2012, with visitation one hour before the service, at Blackhawk Ministries 7400 E. State Blvd. Visitation will also be held Sunday, September 9, 2012 at Hockemeyer & Miller Funeral Home, 6131 St. Joe Road 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Burial will be in Lindenwood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials are made in Julie’s memory to Cancer Services of NE Indiana and Visiting Nurse & Hospice Home.