Dennis W. Schmidt, 67 of La Porte, died May 2, 2011 at I.U. La Porte Hospital.
Dennis was born July 2, 1943, in Oakland, Calif., to the late Robert and Edith (Bratton) Schmidt. He moved to LaPorte in 1976.
On March 12, 1986, he married Barbara Karaff, who survives.
He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy serviving on the USS Hancock as a signal man. Dennis started working at a young age by picking up stray golf balls and selling them, back to the golf courses in California. He later worked at some golf courses and was known as a semi-pro golfer in the 1960s before golf was recognized as a profitable sport. He left all that behind and traveled across the U.S. until he landed in La Porte and called it home. He worked for Dipsi-Doodle, was a regional manager of Acme Disposal for nine years and after several years with La Porte County Fairgrounds as ground maintenance manager, retired in 2010.
Surviving are his wife; daughters, Krista Schmidt-Bennett of La Porte, Sandy Wilson of Forest Grove, Ore., and grandchildren, Tyler, Gavin, Megan, Jillian, Curtis, and Nikki; sisters; Carol (Ken) Richardson of Riverton, Wyo., Pat (David) Hobart of Sweet Home, Ore., and Penny (Merle Palmer) Godfrey of Oxbow, Ore. and special Sister-in-law Susan Hendrickson.
He was preceded in death by his parents and daughter, Karen Zeleny.
Services will be held at 6:00 PM, Friday, May 6, 2011 at the Cutler funeral Home with Dave McCartney officiating. Visitation with the family is from 4-6:00 PM. La Porte Honor Guard will have a U.S. Flag presentation following the Service. Burial will take place at a later time.
If friends decide to send a floral tribute, the family would prefer plants.
Contributions may be made to the La Porte Salvation Army, 3240 Monroe St., La Porte, IN. 46350
Please sign the online register book at www.cutlerfuneral.com