Bruce Allen Schmitt

April 19, 1955 - March 1, 2015

Bruce Allen Schmitt age 59, of Knoxville and formerly of Dubuque, passed away Sunday, March 1, 2015, at Knoxville Hospital and Clinics. Funeral services for Bruce will be held at 12:00 Noon on Wednesday, March 4, 2015 at the Celebrate Community Church of Knoxville, with Pastor Andrew Schmidt officiating. Military Honors will follow services. Bruce’s family will be greeting friends on Wednesday at the church from 9:30 A.M. until service time. Bruce was born in Dubuque, Iowa on April 19, 1955, the oldest son of 12 children born to David Merlin and Joan Fay (Rouser) Schmitt. Bruce was raised in Dubuque and graduated from Hempstead High School, Class of 1973. After high school Bruce joined the United States Marine Corp. He served his country for 26 years being stationed at Camp Pendleton, California, Washington, D.C., Camp Lejeune, North Carolina and twice in Okinawa, Japan. In 1991 he served in Operation Desert Storm in the Gulf War. He retired from the Marine Corp in 1999 and began working for the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers. He was currently employed with the Corp of Engineers, at the Red Rock Dam, as an Administrative Clerk. On February 15, 1992 in Dubuque, Iowa, Bruce and Jane Ellen McLaughlin were united in marriage. They shared 23 years of marriage and were blessed with two daughters, Shauna and Christiana. Bruce enjoyed Sprint Car Racing, watching the Chicago Cubs and an annual fishing trip with his closest friends. Bruce is survived by his wife of 23 years Jane Schmitt of Knoxville; his two daughters, Shauna Schmitt and Christiana Schmitt both of Knoxville; his parents, David and Joan Schmitt of Peosta; and his mother and father-in-law, Roger and Helen McLaughlin of Dubuque. Bruce is also survived by nine siblings, Susan (Dennis) Fury, Sharon (Paul) Smith, Lance Schmitt, Lori Leslein, Mark (Sherri) Schmitt, Julie (Jeff) Ruganis, Linda Schmitt, Diane (Jim) Tschida, Darryl (Brandy) Schmitt, and his sister-in-law, Bonnie Schmitt; Jane’s siblings, Jeff (Janice) McLaughlin, Tom (Kathy) McLaughlin, Lynn (Jim) Hochberger, Ted (Penny) McLaughlin, Doug (Beth) McLaughlin, and Jim (Wendy) McLaughlin; and many nieces and nephews. Bruce was preceded in death by two brothers, Brian in infancy and Kyle Schmitt. A memorial in Bruce’s memory has been established for his two daughters’ education. Condolences may be sent to www.winfieldfh.com. The Winfield Funeral Home of Knoxville is helping Bruce’s family with services.