Wayne H. Schmidt, aged 81 years old, of St Francis, passed away peacefully on July 27, 2026. Born on September 1, 1944, to father Harold and mother Elsie Schmidt, Wayne grew up in Sheboygan and Milwaukee.

After graduating from West Division High School in 1962, Wayne joined the United States Air Force where he served in the Vietnam War.

After Wayne returned home, he became a truck driver and met and married his first wife Barbara. Together, they had 5 children. Joseph, Penny (WI), Duane (WI), Bryan and Heather (Jenfri) (NY). Wayne and Barbara divorced some years later.

In 1985, Wayne's son Joe and Joe's friend Tim conspired to have their parents meet. Not only did they meet, they hit it off and married in 1987.

Through his marriage to Sharon, Wayne gained 5 more kids: Troy (AK), Todd (Kim) (WI), Tim (AZ), Tammi (AZ) and Traci (Damien) (OH). And then together, they chose to grow their family by welcoming three more children: Ricky (WI), Zenaida (AZ), and Henry.

After retiring in May of 1999, Wayne took on a lot of hobbies and interests, from bowling to golf to painting and gardening. But he always looked forward to NASCAR, deer hunting and cheering on his beloved Green Bay Packers during football season, even becoming a shareholder in 2021.

Wayne was a man of many jokes (some actually quite terrible, although he thought he was hilarious), he will be missed by those who knew and loved him.

Wayne is preceded in death by his parents, Harold & Elsie, his brother Clyde and sister Carol, and his sons Joe, Bryan and Henry.

Wayne is survived by his wife of 39 years, Sharon, his faithful companion Charlie (dog), his sister Gail (TX) & his children ... his 24 grandchildren: Nicole, Rachel, Robby, Nick, Megan, Nathan, Mayfreici, Hadden, Marcus, Zack, Cameron, Brandon, Alexandra, Bailey, Taylor, Elijah, Kacee, Mia, Zoe, Zaria, Zaliyah, Zanya, Zacaria, & Tahir ... Also, his 7 great grandchildren: Ethan, Ember, Ellie, Jameson, Jaxson, Parker & Sammy.

His brothers-in-law and dear friends, Bob (Bonny), Rick and Michael; and his cherished friends and neighbors, Sharon and Ismael.

He is also survived by Samantha, Camila, Emery and Naomi, his birthday buddy, all who held a special place in his heart.

Wayne is also survived by his beloved nieces and nephews and many, many other friends and family members who will miss him dearly; we could spend a whole day naming everyone whose lives he has touched.

Whether you had the honor of spending 5 minutes or 100 years with Wayne, you understand the void his passing has left in our hearts.

He was the type of person (husband, father, father in law, etc) who always put others before him.

We will miss him tremendously but will remember him always.

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Services for Wayne will be held at Prasser-Kleczka Funeral Homes Bay View Chapel on Friday, July 31, 2026, with visitation starting at 9:30 AM, followed by a time of sharing at 11:30 AM. Procession to Arlington Park Cemetery immediately after services. 

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that memorial contributions be made either to a charitable organization in Wayne's memory, such as St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or the Wisconsin Humane Society, or to support services that will assist Sharon in maintaining her home and independence.