A Funeral Mass for Ervin “Smitty” Schmidt, age 80, of Milford, will be held at 10:30 AM on Monday, August 3, 2026, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Milford. Visitation will be from 5:00-7:00 PM on Sunday, August 2,, at Turner Jenness Funeral Home in Milford.
Ervin Frank Schmidt, known as “Smitty,” was born on March 8, 1946, in Audubon, Iowa, the son of Frank L. and Dorothy I. (Oakley) Schmidt. He graduated from Audubon High School.
On January 13, 1990, Smitty was united in marriage to Jean Schwarz in Milford, Iowa. Throughout his working years, he was a professional over-the-road truck driver. Known on the CB radio as “Whiskey Runner,” he took great pride in his career and the friendships he made along the way.
Over the years, Smitty called Audubon, Harlan, Lake Park, and Arnolds Park, home before settling in Milford, where he lived for the past thirty-three years. In his free time, he enjoyed watching classic TV westerns, fishing, camping, garage tinkering and was an enjoyer of good food. He loved his 1955 Chevy and most importantly, spending time with his family.
Smitty passed away on July 18, 2026, at Lakes Regional Healthcare in Spirit Lake, Iowa, at eighty years of age.
Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Jean Schmidt of Milford, Iowa; children, Trisha (Matt) Ryken of Yankton, South Dakota; Kathy (Josh) Lamer of Colton, South Dakota; Frank (Adriene) Schmidt of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; Jennifer (Anthony) Davis of Milford, Iowa; and Joseph Schmidt of Milford, Iowa; his siblings, Lloyd (Nanette) Schmidt of Johnston, Iowa; Janie (Rich) Hummel of Jupiter, Florida; and Bill (Maureen) Schmidt of Atlantic, Iowa.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Dorothy Schmidt; sister, Maxine Schmidt; great-grandson, Carson Plucker; grandson-in-law, Brady Plucker; brothers-in-law, Danny Schwarz, Keith Schwarz, and Rich Hummel; father-in-law, Marvin Schwarz; and his Uncle Ervin Wendt, for whom he was named.
Arrangements are under the care of Turner Jenness Funeral Home.
