SCHMITT, LORAS

Loras (Larry) J. Schmitt passed away on November 9, 2017. A true gentleman with deep Midwestern roots and a profound love for Phoenix, Larry recently celebrated his 80th year with family and friends. Larry enjoyed growing up in the small town of Holy Cross, Iowa, attended Loras College in Dubuque, and then worked as a Horologist (Watchmaker). In 1970, Larry and his wife, Marie, moved with their four small children to Phoenix, Arizona, and opened their own business, Schmitt Jewelers. One of Larry’s greatest attributes was his love of people. He so enjoyed a personal conversation, whether at his business, out in the community or with those he served and served with at the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. Later in life, Larry married Ann, and they were recently recognized with the Bob Russell Lifetime Achievement Award by the Society. Larry was predeceased by wife Marie, daughter Sarah and siblings Louis Schmitt and Lila Spitzer. He is survived by wife Ann Secrest Schmitt and her son J.D. Secrest, his children Tom (Erin), Tim (Ginnie), Lynn Bush (Dave), Beth Burch (Chris), grandchildren Michelle Shipley (Colin), Brian Schmitt and Megan Davis (T.C.); Michael, Julia and James Schmitt; Patrick, Ben, John and Hank Bush; Katie, Anne and Alison Burch, two great-grandchildren (Charlie Shipley and Trip Davis) and his twin sister, Doris Shockley (Roy). A funeral Mass will be held Friday, November 17, 2017 at 2:30 p.m. at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, 4715 N. Central Avenue in Phoenix. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Phoenix, www.stvincentdepaul.net
Arrangements entrusted to Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home.