H.J. "Toots" (Arkels) Schmitt

H.J. “Toots” Schmitt, 80, of Leonore, died after a lengthy illness on February 11, 2018 at Heritage Heath Care of El Paso.

Mass of a Christian Burial will be 11:00 AM Thursday in Sts. Peter and Paul Church in Leonore with Msgr. James Swaner officiating. Burial will be in Sts. Peter and Paul Cemetery in Leonore.  Visitation will be 10:00 AM until time of services in the church. Hurst Funeral Home in Tonica is handling the arrangements.

Helen was born on November 6, 1937 in Tonica to Arthur and Pauline (Loebach) Arkels.

Helen was a lifetime member of Sts. Peter and Paul Church and a longtime choir member. She loved gardening and wood working. Her greatest joy was her family.

Ms. Schmitt is survived by her mother Pauline Arkels of Leonore, five sons; Timothy Schmitt of Oglesby, Joseph (Erin) Schmitt of Normal, Patrick (Pandora) Schmitt of Streator, Andrew Schmitt of Leonore, and Nicholas (Vicki) Schmitt of Bloomington. One daughter; Mary Kay (Jim) Baietto of El Paso. Eight grandchildren, one step-grandson, and one great-grandson.

She was preceded in death by her daughter Julie Ann Schmitt, two grandsons Kurt Schmitt-Block and Lucas Anthony Schmitt.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or the Leonore Fire Department.

Pallbearers will be Kalin and AJ Schmitt, Jason and Martin Wiesbrock, Chad Arkels, and Mitchell Daugherty.

Online condolences may be viewed and remembrances shared at www.hurstfuneralhomes.com.

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