Thomas Joseph Schmidt, beloved brother, uncle, cousin, and friend, passed away on August 10, 2025, at Mercy South Hospital at the age of 75.
Tom was ordained as a Catholic Priest in 1976 and served many parishes including St. Joseph in Manchester, St. Martin de Porres in Hazelwood, Most Sacred Heart in Festus, Our Lady of Presentation in St. John, St. Robert Bellarmine in St. Charles, St. Aloysius in Spanish Lake and finally St. David Parish in Arnold where he was appointed pastor. Tom eventually left the priesthood and met and married the love of his life, Char, in 2003.
He was a devoted Cardinals baseball and Blues hockey fan and never missed a game. Throughout his life he had the opportunity to travel and go on many cruises in the company of good friends.
He is survived by brothers Richard (Margaret) Schmidt, Mark (Stacie Hibino) Schmidt, Skip Schmidt, and sister Susan (Roger) Petersen and nephew Joseph (Lindsay) Schmidt and niece Christine Schmidt.
He is preceded in death by beloved wife Charlene Schmidt (nee Schuermann), parents Eugene and Jean Schmidt, sister Rosemary Wellman and brothers William “Randy” Schmidt and Gregory Schmidt.
SERVICES: Visitation will be held on Saturday, September 6th, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church, 7622 Sutherland Avenue followed by Mass at 10:00 a.m. and interment at Resurrection Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers donations may be sent to the Alzheimer’s Association or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
I remember Tom as being a gentle & kind person . He had a quiet presence & knew how to enjoy the essence of living both as a priest & a devoted husband.
May he rest in peace as he is seeing the face of God.
May eternal light shine upon him!
Much sympathy to all of “Louie’s” family. We were seminary classmates for 8.5 years here in St. Louis. I am confident he received wonderful, compassionate, and deserving care these last few years at Mother of Perpetual Help, and Mary, Queen and Mother Center, as I served there 25 years ago.
Tom Schmidt was a simple straightforward kind of guy. He lived love for others. Isn’t that just what is commanded of us all? Don’t we fail sometimes? I can’t remember Tom failing. I was a high school classmate of his sixty years ago. But in the last ten years or so a classmate at Prep South ’68 drew us all together to refresh the sense of idealism, care and love of others we all were living back then and could renew.
I had a chance to meet and experience Tom’s work for others through many of our classmates’ eyes. Then he became a devoted husband when he left the priesthood. That spirit which made his DNA the unique person he became is now released back to Holy Spirit that imbues and infuses this world. His memory is a blessing and may his many thoughtful kindnesses live on through his close family and his many seminarian pals. Thank you for shining bright, Tom!
Tom was a great man. He will be remembered for being a faithful and kind servant to the people of Arnold.
Tom and Char were dear friends of ours. We went on many vacations together. We loved them and miss ghem dearly!
Ken and Carol Grelle
Tom (Lou) was a great friend throughout the years that I knew him. Along with other ham radio ops we would share lunch every Thursday for almost 3 decades.
Best eternal 73 to you, N0DWC. God bless.
Tom was a very enjoyable friend. Enjoyed talking him to Cardinal games & lunches with him! He is very deeply missed! 🙏😇