Carl "Smitty" Schmidt

Carl John Schmidt “Smitty”, age 61, of Walnut Hill, Illinois; passed away at 9:30 p.m. Tuesday, September 14, 2021, at his home.

Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. Friday, September 17, 2021, at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton with Terry Rechsteiner officiating. Burial will follow in the Masonic & Odd Fellows Cemetery of Benton. Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Friday at the Leffler Funeral Home.

Carl was born on August 2, 1960, in Elgin, Illinois, the son of Carl John Schmidt and Grace Elizabeth Kelleher. He married the former Laura E. North on January 27, 1983; and she survives.

He was a retired self-employed owner of Smitty’s Heating and Air Conditioning and Smitty’s Equipment.

Carl enjoyed hunting, fishing, traveling, casinos, road-trips, racing, and building everything. He had a passion for racing homing pigeons. He loved working (maybe a little too much) but always put family first. He loved spending time with his family. You could always count on him.

Surviving is his loving wife of 48 years, Laura Schmidt of Walnut Hill, IL; three children: Jon Schmidt and wife Erica of Walnut Hill, IL, Josh Carl Schmidt and wife Amanda of Centralia, IL, Jessica Jurmann and husband Chris of Mt. Juliet, TN; six grandchildren: Jack, Anna, Ava, Lance, Luca, Eriana, and two more due to be born; a sister Nancy Daum and companion Mike Blair of Benton; a brother Scott Schmidt of Sacramento, CA; nieces and nephews: Terry Rechsteiner, Trina McClintock, Crystal Schmidt, Jacob Schmidt and Jenelle Gentry.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and paternal and maternal grandparents.

To leave online condolences to the family, or to share memories of Carl, visit www.lpfuneralhome.com

Due to the mandate issued on August 26, 2021, by Gov. J.B Pritzker masks must be worn at all times while inside the funeral home.

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