Edward F. Schmidt,91,beloved husband, father and grandfather, passed away peacefully on the morning of May 14 after a long illness. He and his wife, the former Norma Augustine, were preparing to celebrate 56 years of marriage on May 18. He is also survived by his daughter, Nina (Schmidt) Sutton, two granddaughters Victoria (Tori) and Lily, and several nieces and nephews. He was proceeded in death by his parents, Mary (Dziadosz) and Stanley Schmidt, and brothers Frederick, Stanley, Leo and Joseph.

Born November 25, 1921, Ed grew up in Wilkes-Barre and graduated in 1939 from GAR High School. He served in World War II as a corporal in the 332nd Airdrome Squadron of the Army in Burma, and was awarded the Asiatic-Pacific Service Medal and a Good Conduct World War II Victory Medal. He returned home on December 24, 1945, a story he fondly reminisced about every Christmas Eve.


In 1961, Ed joined his brother Leo, assuming ownership of Schmidt’s Printery, a family business founded by their father in 1929 and which remained on North Main Street in Wilkes-Barre until Ed’s retirement. Many organizations benefitted from his charitable donation of printing and proofreading projects over the years. He was also the founder/manager of Northeast Label Company.


As a member of The Polish Union, Ed had a love for his heritage and retained his ability to speak the language. He also enjoyed forty-plus years as an active member of the Wilkes-Barre Kiwanis.

Ed had a gift for music, able to play almost any piece he heard by ear, and he enjoyed countless hours listening to his favorite records, with big bands, Vienna waltzes and opera among his favorites.

On Saturday, Sunday and many evenings, Ed watched or listened to most football, and baseball games and was well known for his knowledge of sports facts. When not listening to or watching sports, Ed was often working in the yard and garden. He was a man of deep faith and rarely missed mass until he could no longer physically attend.


As a family man, he never failed to support his wife, daughter and grandchildren and had been a loving son during his parents’ lifetime. He enjoyed family celebrations and especially appreciated his wife’s home cooking and baking.


The family would like to thank the nurses of Associated Family Care, whose care over the last few years allowed Ed to remain at home. Special thanks belong to the staff of Wyoming Valley Kindred Hospital who provided care and comfort in his last days and as well as kind support to the family upon his passing.

Special gratitude goes to Dr. Charles Manganiello, who faithfully cared for Ed and his wife since he began his practice until the morning of Ed’s passing.

Relatives and friends are invited to visitation on Saturday morning from 8:30am until 9:30 am at the Gubbiotti Funeral Home,1030 Wyoming Ave. Exeter followed by a  mass of Christian burial at 10am  will be celebrated at St. Maria Goretti Church, Laflin with the Msgr, Neil Van Loon, as celebrant,
Interment with Military honors by the AmVets Honor  Guard will be in Mt, Olivet Cemetery, Carverton,
  As Ed was a staunch proponent of educating youth in the trades, The Edward F. Schmidt Scholarship has been established. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Luzerne County Community College Foundation, 1333 South Prospect St., Nanticoke, PA 18634