Willet "Pete" H. Schmidt, 92, of Port Austin, passed away peacefully on May 27, 2017 at Huron Medical Center in Bad Axe.

He was born in Bad Axe on April 12, 1925 to the late Harry and Stella (Pfaff) Schmidt.

On June 14, 1946, he married Jean M. Finan.   She preceded him in death on June 18, 2008.

Pete graduated from Bad Axe High School in 1943, attended Alma College, and served in the U.S. Army from 1943 – 1946.  He was a member of the Frank Horetski Post 499 and VFW Post 116, the Lions Club, Bird Creek Golf Club and Verona Hills Golf Club.  He was postmaster in Port Austin before taking a position at Port Austin State Bank, where he was employed for 50 years.  At the time of his death, he was Chairman of the Board.

He was an outstanding athlete in high school, leading Bad Axe High School in football, basketball, and baseball.  He was one of the first in the area to shoot a one-handed shot in basketball.  As an older player in the Huron County Baseball League, he was approached by Detroit Tiger scouts.   He continued to be an avid golfer, still playing at age 91.  He was given an award by the MHSAA for over 20 years of officiating high school athletics, and he coached youth basketball and baseball for many years.  Pete also enjoyed woodworking in his spare time in his shop-garage where he had a substantial inventory of wood crafts.

Pete is survived by his daughter, Belma J. (William) Gorang of Port Austin; his sons, Thomas H. and Stephen H. (Denise) Schmidt, both of Port Austin; grandchildren: Amy (Randy) Stille, Sarah Schmidt, Peter A. (Sara) Schmidt, Bradley S. Schmidt (Teresa Summers), Kyle J. (Devin) Schmidt, Mykael T. Schmidt, and Cameron M. (Jaclyn) Schmidt; six great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his son, Peter J. Schmidt and his sister, Erdene Kotenko.

Mass of Christian burial will take place 11 a.m. on Friday, June 2, 2017 at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Port Austin with Fr. Craig Carolan officiating.  Burial will take place at the church cemetery with military honors.

Visitation will be 2 – 8 p.m. on Thursday, June 1, 2017 at the MacAlpine Gage Chapel in Kinde with a Scripture service at 7 p.m.  Visitation will also be at the church on Friday, June 2, 2017 10 a.m. until time of service.

Memorials may be offered to the family and will be dispersed to local non-profits at the family's discretion.

Condolences can be shared at www.macalpinefuneralhome.com