Norman E. Schmidt

Norman E. Schmidt, 89, of Cheboygan, passed away peacefully Tuesday, July 26, 2016 at the Brook Retirement Community in Cheboygan. A life long resident of the area, Norm was born Oct. 15, 1926 the son of Edward and Martha (Kirsch) Schmidt, and was known by many as “Uncle Norm”. He attended Cheboygan Central School through his grade school years, and graduated from Cheboygan High School in 1944.  He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II in the Pacific Theater of War. Norm married the love of his life, Margaret Rabideau in Cheboygan August 7, 1948.  They were married for 60 years until she preceded him in death.  

Norm’s working career began as a “handyman” at Hobart’s Marina. He then worked at the JC Penny store in Cheboygan for one year before he began working at Belangers Meat Market.  Norm was a butcher and meat cutter for 10 years.  He was a foreman at Plymouth Industries for 17 years, until it closed in 1970.  Upon the closing of Plymouth Industries, Norm began working in the construction and carpentry business, eventually starting his own business, “Schmidt’s Carpentry and Bulldozing,” which he owned and operated until he retired.

Norm loved horses, both saddle and draft horses.  He purchased his first saddle horse in 1951 and owned horses for over 50 years. Norm was proud of his country and his community and has been an icon at the Cheboygan County Fair for many years. He would proudly display the American Flag on horseback while leading the racehorses to the starting gate during race time.” He was very active in 4-H and had helped a multitude of youth learn the art of horsemanship and the true values of 4-H: living by example the values of Head, Heart, Hands, and Health.  He was a member of the Jac-Pine Saddle Club and loved to get together with family and friends to tell stories and have fun.   He was a Cheboygan County fair board member for 25 years and was in charge of all the horse events and was an announcer.  Norm absolutely loved camping at Elk Hill horse camp on the Pigeon River where he had blazed many of the trails on horseback, many of which are still used today.  Norm was in many local parades over the years either driving his team of Percheron Draft Horses or riding one of his saddle horses with his dog Boomer right by his side. He was a lifelong member of St. John Lutheran Church and very active in his church community where he was a Sunday school teacher.  Many children over the years couldn’t wait to see “Uncle Norm” at church on Sunday.

Norm is survived by a very special niece, Sandra (Richard) Kitchen who he and his late wife Marge helped raise and treated as their own daughter. He is also survived by Dick and Sandy’s three children, Jody (Keith) Ginop, Norman (Josette LeHee’) Kitchen, and Steven (Kate Lindsay) Kitchen and his great-great nephews, Jaykob Wood, Kaleb (Ike) Wood, Nathan Ginop, and Kevin Ginop. He is also survived by many special family members, including the Darlene Lunden family and the Gothard families.  He leaves behind an entire community of friends, family, nieces, nephews, and cousins that he has positively influenced over the years. He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife Margaret.

Visitation will be held on Friday, July 29, 2016 from 2:00 pm-4:00 pm, and6:00 pm-8:00 pm at the Nordman-Christian Funeral Home in Cheboygan.  The funeral service will be held on Saturday, July 30, 2016 at 11:00 am, with visitation beginning at 10:00am, at St. John Lutheran Church in Cheboygan with the Rev. Randy Johnson officiating. Burial of Norm’s ashes will take place within Pinehill Cemetery at a later date.

Memorials contributions may be made to Hospice of the Straits, or to St. John Lutheran Church. Those wishing to leave a condolence or share a memory of Norm are invited to do so at www.stonefuneralhomeinc.com.

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