Norman C. Schmidt

Norman Clyde Schmidt, age 94, of West Branch, Michigan, passed away peacefully on September 17, 2025, in his home with family by his side. He was born in Temperance, MI on June 6, 1931, to Frederick and Clara Schmidt. On May 9,1956 he married Mary Lee Sorter who he shared 37 wonderful years of life with.

After graduation in 1946, Norm served his country in the United States Army as Corporal. Then, continued his career at Moore Chrome Polishing until retirement. Upon retirement, Norm and Mary Lee moved to the northern woods until her passing in 1993. After that, Norm continued to build the legacy that he and Mary Lee had always dreamed of.

The legacy this man built was beautiful. Norm was always loyal and humble, a faithful and simple man who loved his family, friends, and strangers. Truly, no one was really a stranger to Norm. He never passed up a visitor, and never let a conversation go unsaid. He was a man full of stories, great wisdom, and knowledge that would be shared inside at the kitchen table, outside at the fire pit, in the garage, or standing in the middle of the woods. Norm always loved to conversate, but he also loved the quiet and stillness that the woods surrounding his home provided. The fresh air regenerated his soul through napping on the swing, checking the mail, watering all the flowers, casting his fishing pole, hunting in the woods, or simply walking the trails. The northern woods was where he felt at peace.

Oh, the garage, the garage is where Norm found his joy. He loved puttering in his garage. He had every nut and bolt organized, he had every piece of fresh cut wood stacked just right, and most of all, he had every tool waiting for the next “project”. There was not a thing that Norm couldn’t fix, and if there was nothing to be fixed, nothing to be cut, and nothing to be built, then you would find Norm running the roads. He loved trail riding in his jeep, his buggy, and his golf cart with his dogs, Buddy and Coco by his side.

The sawdust left behind will be cherished as glimpses of glitter from Heaven. The sawmill that created the smell of fresh cut wood will be honored throughout the years as it is being used. The pull of a chainsaw will no longer be heard as work needing to be done, but as the next log that just needs to be cut and stacked. The ninety-four-year legacy he built will continue. It will continue in Heaven with our Heavenly Father, and that is what we find peace in. Until then, it is not good-bye, it is “see you later, fat boy.”

He is survived by his children, Stephen (Eileen) Schmidt, Karen (John) Blackmore, Tammi Roe, Jeffery Schmidt; and many grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren, three siblings, and bonus children; Candy (Raul), Tina (Tom), and Terri (Terry). Norm was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Lee Schmidt, son, Norman Charles Schmidt, daughter-n-law, Eileen Schmidt, devoted partner, Martha Cordell, both parents, and four siblings.

Cremation has taken place. A graveside service and interment of military honors will be held for Norman on Saturday, September 27, 2025, at 1:00 PM, at Damon Cemetery, West Brach, MI. Minister Frank Beek will officiate.

Words of comfort to the family may be offered at www.steuernolmclaren.com. In honor of Norm, all donations may be made in memory to The Care Team Hospice of Standish and the St. Jude’s Foundation.