David L. “Dave” Schmidt
August 17, 1947 – March 12, 2026
David L. “Dave” Schmidt, 78, of Highland, IL, formerly of Williamsfield, IL, passed away on Thursday, March 12, 2026, with his family by his side.
He was born on Aug. 17, 1947, in Highland, IL, to Freemon and Cornelia (née Schoeck) Schmidt. On April 2, 1967, he married Jane Phyllis Schoeck at the St. Jacob UCC in St. Jacob, IL.
Dave “Schmitty” Schmidt grew up in Marine and St. Jacob and attended Triad High School. He and Jane were high school sweethearts and were voted the “Most Romantic Couple” of the 1967 graduating class. Dave enlisted in the Navy and flew on a P-3 Orion, then moved home and started a family.
Dave worked at Amoco Oil Company as a laborer in the refinery and later became the global Chief Welding Inspector. His career took him all over the country and the world to places like the Caribbean island of Trinidad and Tobago, Azerbaijan and places most of us have never heard of, adding to the mystery and impact of his stories.
Dave enjoyed piddling in his shops, taking rides with his dogs, being Peter Pissy in the Silver Creek Camping Association (aka SCCA) and golfing. When he retired after more than 30 years, he opened The Golf Medic in Highland, where he made custom clubs and repaired clubs. It was during this time that he began developing a process to reduce the cost and risks associated with welding pipelines. His idea was patented.
While Dave had many hobbies and interests, his greatest accomplishment was the family he and Jane raised. He was very proud of and loved his wife, children, and grandchildren more than he could say.
We will miss him; his stories, his laugh, his cooking, his grilling and his larger-than-life presence. His work ethic was impeccable and it didn’t matter how something was. He did not believe in the word ‘no.’ He believed he could accomplish anything.
Jane and the Schmidt kids invite you to share stories about Dave, eat some food and drink some beer with us as we celebrate Dave’s life, doing it his way, on Wed., March 18, at the VFW post 5694 from 12 – 3 p.m.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Freemon and Cornelia Schmidt; siblings, Margene Edwards and Freemon Schmidt, Jr.; nephews, Bobby and Tommy Edwards.
Dave is survived by his wife of 58 years, Jane Schmidt, Highland, IL; children, Cindy (Tony) Fuller, Galesburg, IL, Angela (Tyson) Imming, Rebecca (Tim) McNaught and Daniel (Anne) Schmidt, Maryville, IL; grandchildren, Madison (Peter) Fleming, Isaac Imming, Marion “Eden” Imming, Abigail Imming, Julia (Forrest) Smoes, Laura McNaught, Annika McNaught, and Auggie Schmidt; brother, Raymond Schmidt, Tampa, FL; and many beloved nieces and nephews.
Memorial donations may be made to St. Jacob UCC.
Visitation: Tuesday, March 17, 2026, from 4 to 7 p.m., at Meridith Funeral Home, Highland, IL, and Wednesday, March 18, 2026, from 9 to 10 a.m., at St. Jacob UCC in St. Jacob, IL
Funeral Service: Wednesday, March 18, 2026, 10 a.m., at St. Jacob UCC, St. Jacob, IL
Clergy: Pastor Phil Barbier
Interment: Keystone Cemetery, St. Jacob, IL
Celebration of life: Wednesday, March 18, 2026, from 12 to 3 p.m., at the Highland VFW post 5694
