Dr. Gene Schmitt, 97, of Xenia, Ohio, passed away Wednesday, December 9, 2020 of
natural causes. Born April 15, 1923, in Rochester, New York, to John and Florence Meyer
Schmitt, he was a proud graduate of John Carroll University and St. Louis University medical
school, both Jesuit universities. After earning his medical degree, Gene served in the United
States Navy as a physician. He was loaned to the Air Force and stationed at Wright Patterson
AFB which brought him to Xenia, Ohio, where he lived in the same house for 64 years. With
two partners, he founded Medical Services Associates in Xenia, and was associated with that
practice for over 40 years until his first retirement. Following retirement from that practice, he
continued to serve as a physician for multiple nursing homes in the Greene County area.

Over his 50 year medical career, he was a "general practitioner" in the truest sense;
making house calls, setting broken bones, suturing wounds, delivering babies, and performing
general surgeries. During his career he delivered over 3,000 babies, many of whom reside in and
around Xenia today. He served as the Board of Health President for Greene County Public
Health.

Gene was a member of St. Brigid Church, where he served as a lector, eucharistic
minister, parish council member and member of the Knights of Columbus. One of his frequent
pieces of advice was "stay close to God."

Gene was an advocate of community service and served Carroll High School as team
physician for 20 years. He was inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2004.

Known for never knowing a stranger, he treated everyone with dignity and respect. He
loved nature and taking care of his yard, mowing his grass at the age of 90. He nurtured many
seedling trees to maturity in his back yard. He enjoyed feeding the birds and watching them visit
his birdfeeders.

Woodworking was his hobby. Many precious creations came from his workshop in the
basement. What he didn't keep for his own pleasure, he gave as gifts. Some of his projects
included bread boxes, cutlery holders, bedroom head boards, cradles, tables and dressers.

Survived by his wife, Mary Lu (Russ) Schmitt, whom he married April 15, 1950. Also
survived by eight children: Martha Schmitt (Beavercreek, OH), Mark Schmitt (Xenia, OH), Dr.
Chris Schmitt (Cloverdale, OR), Eric Schmitt (El Dorado Hills, CA), Amy Schmitt
(Beavercreek, OH), Mary Beth (Schmitt) Brandeau (Papillion, NE), Suzanne Schmitt (Temuco,
Chile), Damian Schmitt (Kelseyville, CA); numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren, a
brother, Kenneth (Diane) Schmitt (Rochester, NY), several nieces and nephews, and by many
close friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters, Doris and Melvina Schmitt,
and by a brother, Donald Schmitt.

Gene will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him. Private graveside services
will be held by the family in St. Brigid Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made
to the Xenia FISH Food Pantry, 774 Cincinnati Ave., Xenia, OH, 45385, in his memory.
Condolences may be made to the family at www.NeeldFuneralHome.com

To view a dvd of Dr. Schmitt's life go to:

https://plus.smilebox.com/play?g=d8e27ec9-b3a4-41ac-8a55-a7ad6ad181f4&sbid=3466