Hilton J. Schmidt

Hilton J. Schmidt, age 97, of Saukville, Wis., passed away at his home on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2020.

He was born on Oct. 5, 1922, in Elkhorn, Wis., the son of Wilhelm and Hedwig “Hattie” Von Gnechten Schmidt. His dad worked for the railroad and Hilton grew up in the Bayview area.

Hilton served in the 351st Infantry of the U.S. Army from 1940 through 1945. As a truck driver and mechanic, Hilton served in Africa and Europe.  

Upon his return from service, Hilton worked as a mechanic for various auto dealerships throughout Milwaukee.  He was blessed with six children.

Prior to his retirement in 1990, Hilton worked for many years for Milwaukee County as a master mechanic in the transportation department. He was a member of the AFSCME Union.

On Oct. 22, 1982, Hilton married Constance Hamlett Jansen of Saukville in Mequon, Wis.

Hilton was a member of the Landt-Thiel American Legion Post 470 of Saukville and the Red Arrow Division Veterans Association.  He was a proud participant of the Stars and Stripes Honor Flight in 2009.  He was quite a gardener, growing grapes for making wine that he proudly enjoyed.  

He was loved and will be missed by many.

He is survived by his wife Constance “Connie” of Saukville; his children Peter (Ann) Schmidt of Saukville, Steve (Karen) Schmidt of Beaverton, Ore., Tim (Mary) Schmidt of Plymouth, Elizabeth “Liz” Schmidt-Call of Franklin, Leah McClung of Milwaukee and Paul Schmidt of Franklin; and Connie’s children Jeffrey Jansen of Green Bay, Wis., Gary Jansen of Saukville, Monica (Craig “Mooch”) Medinger of West Bend, Paulette (Brook Dillard) Jansen of Sacramento, Calif., and Mary (Jeff St. Peter) Jansen of Port Washington.  

 Hilton is further survived by 16 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; his brothers John (Jean) Schmidt of Seattle, Al Schmidt of St. Francis and Bill Schmidt of Boston; brother-in-law John Menning of Rochester, Minn.; nieces; nephews; other relatives; and friends.

Hilton was preceded in death by his sisters Erma, Orma and Diane and his brothers Walter and Marvin.

 Memorial funeral services will take place at 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 1, 2020, with military honors at St. Matthew Lutheran Church, 1525 N. Grant St., Port Washington, Wis. Pastor Martin Wildauer will officiate.  A light luncheon will follow the service at church.

Poole Funeral Home/Crematory, Port Washington, Wis., is assisting the family.  Information and condolences are available at www.poolefh.com or (262) 284-4431.