Peter Schmidt

Peter John Schmidt of Stevensville, MD, passed away on Saturday, December 1, 2007 at the University Specialty Hospital in Baltimore, MD. He was 85 years old. Born September 21, 1922 and raised in Barberton, OH the son of John and Elizabeth Stock Schmidt. He graduated from Barberton High School in the Class of June 1940. He served in the US Navy and was involved in the Pacific Theatre during World War II. Mr. Schmidt was stationed aboard the U.S.S. Tennessee (BB43) during the attack on Pearl Harbor. He was awarded the American Defense Medal with one battle star, the Asiatic Pacific Medal with eight battle stars, the Philipine Liberation medal with one star, the American Theatre Medal WWII medal, the Navy United Commendation Medal, and the Good Conduct Medal with four stars. On August 2, 1947 he married Cecilia Elizabeth Curran of Barberton, OH. Mr. Schmidt continued his career in the Navy and retired as Chief Yeoman from the Naval Air Reserve Training Unit at Andrews Air Force Base near Washington, D.C. in 1962. Mr. Schmidt then joined Nationwide Insurance Company in Annapolis, MD where he worked as an underwriter and later in Loss Control. He retired from Nationwide Insurance Company on December 31, 1984. Mr. Schmidt was a charter member of the Kent Island Elks Lodge #2576 of Stevensville, MD; Fleet Reserve Association, Branch 24, Annapolis, MD; Knights of Columbus - Father Joseph McManus Council #7941; St. Christopher’s Catholic Church in Stevensville, MD; and Charter Member Father Lutz Assembly Fourth Degree of Chestertown, MD. He was also a volunteer for the Red Cross at the Naval Medical Clinic at the U.S. Naval Academy since 1990. Mr. Schmidt was a member of the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association; the Maryland Chapter #1 of PHSA; and the U.S.S. Tennessee (BB 43) Reunion Association. In addition to Mr. Schmidt’s wife, he is survived by sons, Timothy J. Schmidt of Queenstown, MD and Peter John Schmidt II. of Stevensville, MD; daughter, Michelle Ann Slafkosky of Catonsville, MD; sister, Luana Marie Schmidt of Foley, AL; step-brother, John Stark of Van Nuys, CA; step-sisters, Nancy Houck and Donna Rice of Marshallsville, OH; and six grandchildren. Predeceased by his infant son, Patrick Michael Schmidt, and grandson, Daniel Slafkosky, Friends and family may call on Monday, December 3, 2007 from 2-4 & 6-8 at Fellows, Helfenbein & Newnam Funeral Home, P.A., 106 Shamrock Road, Chester, MD 21619. A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, December 4, 2007 at 11am at St. Peter’s Catholic Church, 5319 Ocean Gateway, Queenstown, MD 21658. Interment will follow at St. Peter’s Catholic Church Cemetery, Queenstown, MD. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Judes Research Hospital, Memphis, TN,38018, and to St. Christopher’s Catholic Church Building Fund, PO Box 600, Chester, MD 21619.