Ronald J. “Ron” Schmitz

GLANDORF – Ronald J. “Ron” Schmitz, 86, of Glandorf, passed away at 8:14 p.m. on Thursday, November 5, 2026, at his residence surrounded by his loving family. He was born August 29, 1940, in Lima to the late John and Clara (Stoepfel) Schmitz. On September 15, 1962, he married Joan Zeller, who preceded him in death on November 15, 2001. On August 6, 2005, he married Nancy Fessenmeyer, who preceded him in death May 15, 2014. On December 27, 2019, he married Miriam Miller, who survives in Glandorf.

Other survivors include four children: Richard (Susan) Schmitz of Glandorf, Dorothy “Dee Dee” (Clark) Skinner of Rochester, MI., Jodi (Brian) Ruen of Perrysburg and Sherri (Curt) Niekamp of Dublin; daughter-in-law, Kathy Schmitz of Glandorf; fourteen grandchildren: Chandler (Alex) Bradley, Adam Schmitz, Zach Schmitz, Kelly (John Ruddiman) Schmitz, Bradley Schmitz, Kelsey (Andrew Phillips) Skinner, Colton Skinner, Caiden Skinner, Adrianne (Travis) Johnson, Aaron Ruen, Clare Niekamp, Lindsey Niekamp, Cecilia “Cici” Niekamp and William Niekamp; four great-grandchildren: Peyton Johnson, Phineas Johnson, Persophone “Percy” Johnson, Theo Bradley and Baby Phillips on the way; eight stepchildren: Dawn (Brian) Reino of Pennsylvania, Amber Pump of Elmore, Amy (Ryan) Shilling of Hope Mills, NC, Mark (Sharon) Miller of Vine Grove, KY, Ryan (Roberta) Miller of Monroe, David (Deneika) Miller of Findlay, Andrew (Brittany) Miller of Whitehouse and Kelsey (Kraig) Allmandinger of Reynoldsburg; twenty-five step-grandchildren: Emmersyn, Jaxon, Tyler, Hunter, Kaitlyn, Brandan, Christopher, Kelsey, Gabriel, Chloe, Elijah, Michael, Kyle, Kiersten, Kaidan, Anthony, Thomas, Adelaide, Ryan Jacob, Will, Clark, Landon, Sutton, AJ and Eliot.

He was also preceded in death by a son, David Joseph Schmitz; a step-grandchild, Karsen Miller; and four siblings: Eulitta (Raymond) Spangler, Elmer (Verena) Schmitz, Jerome (Alma) Schmitz and Elizabeth “Betty” (Cliff) Crumrine.

Ron was a lifelong dairy farmer and US veteran of the Army National Guard. He was a member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Glandorf as well as the Ottawa Knights of Columbus, Ottawa Eagles and Glandorf Rod and Gun. Ron was an outdoorsman, who enjoyed being outside farming and admiring nature. He loved teaching his grandkids how to farm and attending their sporting events and concerts, traveling with Miriam, telling jokes, sharing stories, playing cards and just being around people. Ron had an uncanny ability to remember everyone he met. He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Funeral Mass will begin at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, November 10, 2026, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Glandorf with Fr. Matt Keller officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Visitation will be held from 2 to 8 p.m. on Monday and 9 to 10 on Tuesday at LOVE FUNERAL HOME, Ottawa. A Knights of Columbus Rosary will begin at 7:30 p.m. on Monday at the funeral home.

Memorial donations may be made to the Putnam County Council on Aging or Putnam County HomeCare and Hospice.

Condolences may be expressed at www.loveheitmeyer.com