Richard "Rick" Schmitt, Jr.

Richard “Rick” Schmitt, Jr., 67, of Lebanon, IL, passed away on Thursday, October 23, 2025, at HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in O’Fallon, IL.

He was born on March 29, 1958, in Belleville, IL, to Richard and Edith (nee Brown) Schmitt. On February 4, 1989, Rick married Janet Berberich in New Baden, IL.

Rick grew up and lived all his life in Lebanon. He worked for SLM Water Plant for more than 40 years, retiring as manager in 2022.

He was deeply committed to serving the community and gave his all as an active member of the Lebanon Emerald Mound Volunteer Fire Department from 1979 to 2012 and was an active retiree until last year. Since 2008, Rick had been very involved with the community’s growing holiday light display, Lebanon’s Winter Wonderland. It soon became a year-round project for him, putting Christmas lights together and building stands and props for new display plans during Spring, Summer, and Fall. Between the set up and packing away of the hundreds of displays, Rick welcomes visitors to the seasonal light show at Horner Park.

Rick also liked playing the part of Santa. Each year he visited many families dressed as Santa and played the part for the children at school for some years. Outside of Christmas, Rick had a keen interest in tractors from a young age, when he helped out at a local farm. He enjoyed cooking and making sausage, and more than anything, he loved his family and grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Richard and Edith Schmitt; brothers, Robert Vest, Larry Vest, and Randy Schmitt.

Rick is survived by his wife, Janet Schmitt; children, Jennifer (Tom) Schremp and Nick (Terese) Schmitt; granddaughters, Kaelyn (Zach) Winkler, Lorena Kraemer, Johanna Kraemer, and Josie Schubert; great grandchildren, Liliana, Paisley, and Colton.

Memorial donations may be made to Lebanon’s Winter Wonderland or Lebanon Emerald Mound Volunteer Fire Department.

Visitation: Tuesday, October 28, from 4:00 to 7:00 pm, and Wednesday, October 29, 2025, from 9:00 to 10:00 am, at Meridith Funeral Home in Lebanon, IL

Interment: College Hill Cemetery

A luncheon will follow interment at the Summerfield Lions Club.

Meridith Funeral Home, Lebanon, IL