Reverend Schmitt

Rev. Theodore John Schmitt, pastor of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Streamwood died suddenly on Dec. 6, 2014 at the parish rectory. Although his family was from Chicago, Fr. Schmitt was born on February 12, 1944 in Boston. Fr. Schmitt, or Fr. Ted as he was lovingly referred to by his parishioners, was the son of the late Theodore and Eileen (nee Lydon) Schmitt. He attended St. Genevieve Parish Grade School and graduated from high school from the now closed DePaul Academy in Chicago. He graduated from St. Joseph’s College in Rensselear, Indiana with a degree in English and went back to teach English at his high school alma mater, DePaul Academy from 1966 until its closing in 1969. He then taught at Driscoll Catholic High School in Addison where he served as both an assistant varsity and head football coach. In the early 1970’s, Fr. Schmitt then joined the regional sales team at the Chicago offices of Universal Pictures. After a brief stint with Universal in New York City, Fr. Schmitt when went to work for Universal in Los Angeles under the legendary Lew Wasserman, the last of the Hollywood moguls. Fr. Schmitt worked for Universal in many capacities for nearly two decades and worked with some of Hollywood’s biggest names, including Robert Redford, Clint Eastwood, and Sydney Pollack. He counted director Frank Capra and Jack Lemmon as personal friends. After leaving Hollywood for something more meaningful in life, Fr. Schmitt operated a sports memorabilia store in Las Vegas.
According to his personal biography, Fr. Schmitt then began “paying attention to the whispers that had long been telling him maybe he was meant for something else.” He then made the life changing experience to return to the Midwest and enter St. Mary of the Lake Seminary in Mundelein at the age of 53. He was ordained a Roman Catholic priest at Holy Name Cathedral on May 18, 2002 by Francis Cardinal George. His first assignment was as associate pastor at St. James Parish in Arlington Heights, and then he served as pastor at St. Monica’s Parish in Chicago from 2005 to his assignment as pastor at St. John the Evangelist in 2010. Fr. Schmitt served as football chaplain at St. Patrick High School in Chicago and Nazareth Academy in LaGrange Park, as well as chaplain to the Streamwood Police and Fire Departments.
Fr. Schmitt lead his parish school to being designated a 2014 Blue Ribbon School of Excellence by the United States Department of Education and saw Nazareth Academy recently with the Illinois 6A State Football Championship. He was an avid amateur boxer and a devoted fan of the University of Michigan Wolverines, but top on the list was his Catholic faith, and his love for Jesus Christ. Fr. Schmitt leaves behind many beloved cousins, countless friends, and faithful parishioners.
Visitation Thursday, December 11, 2014, 10:00am-9:00pm at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, 502 S. Park Blvd., Streamwood, Il, with a wake service at 7:00pm. Mass of Christian Burial Friday, 10:00am. Interment St. Joseph Cemetery. Arrangements by Countryside Funeral Home. Information 630-289-8054 or www.countrysidefuneralhomes.com