Tributes
Lieutenant Colonel Kenneth “Ken” W. Schmitt, 81, U.S. Army Retired, of Florence, KY passed away December 1, 2021 at Select Specialty Hospital with his wife and daughter by his side. Born on January 31, 1940 in Jasper, IN, Ken was a true patriot, who devoted 20 years of his life to the U.S. Army. He received many accolades, including a Purple Heart. Upon his retirement from the army, Ken worked as the division financial manager for Kimball Int’l and was a member of Jasper City Council. In 2000, he moved to Kentucky, where he worked for the IRS until he retired in 2005. Ken was an active member at St. Paul’s in Florence and San Antonio Church in Port Charlotte, FL. He enjoyed playing golf and bocce, horse racing, volunteering, cooking and traveling.
Ken is survived by his loving wife of 17 years, Janine (Gachuk); son, Scott (Shannon) Schmitt; daughter, Sheila (Chris) Eckstein; grandsons, Branden (Taylor) Eckstein, Seth (Jessica) Eckstein and Tyler (Christy) Eckstein; great-grandchildren, Charlotte and Liam; and siblings, Howard Schmitt, Nancy Gerber, Connie Schmitt, Alan Schmitt and Jane Ellis.
Visitation for Ken will be held Thursday, December 9th from 5:00-7:00pm at Linnemann Funeral Homes in Erlanger, as well as Friday, December 10th from 8:30-9:00am. To honor Ken’s military service and recognize his patriotism the family invites our guests to wear red, white and blue.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00am on Friday, December 10th at St. Paul Catholic Church in Florence. Burial with full military honors will be held at Arlington National Cemetery in 2022.
Memorial contributions can be made to Second Stride (7204 Highway 329, Crestwood, KY) Second Stride provides, retraining, and placement for retired thoroughbred horses” or Special Olympics Kentucky (105 Lakeview Ct., Frankfort, KY) in honor of Ken or charity of choice.
Ken Schmitt
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St. Paul Catholic Church
7301 Dixie HwyFlorence, KY 41042
Phone: (859) 371-8051
Arlington National Cemetery VA
Address: - ARLINGTON, VAKen Schmitt
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Prayers
Janine, my heart is breaking for you! May the Angels take Ken swiftly into heaven and grant you peace. I will be a prayer warrior for you in the days ahead. Love and hugs, Lori Doyle
Prayers
Sending up prayers for you guys! I was so lucky to have got to meet Ken, and Janine, even if not in the best of circumstances. If you need anything Janine, please reach out!
– Ashley E.
With sympathy
It has been wonderful knowing KEN, a great patriot, person and friend. We are sure the Lord has welcomed him home.
Our deepest sympathy to Janine and his entire family.
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