David Michael Schmidt, 70, of Centralia, Illinois, passed away on Wednesday, December 3, 2025. A private service with close friends and family will be held at a later date.
David was born on June 29, 1955, in Elgin, Illinois, to Leonard and Athanasia Schmidt. David was the youngest of six children. His father was the caretaker of the Elgin Eagles Club, and along with his five older siblings, David grew up living on the grounds and working alongside his father. While David enjoyed the adventures that came with living and caring for the 48-acre Eagles Club, he also learned the value of hard work in helping his father maintain the property. In his youth, David also worked as a caddy at the Elgin Country Club, where the seed was planted that blossomed into a love of golf in later years. David graduated from Larkin High School in Elgin in 1973.
In 1976, David moved to Centralia, where he met the love of his life, Cynthia “Cindy” Bellamy. The couple married on July 15, 1981. They remained in Centralia, where they welcomed and raised two children, Michael and Jessica.
David’s hard-working youth did not stop but led at a lifetime of dedication. David worked as a laborer with the Burlington Northern Railroad from 1976 until he retired in 2015. He often had to travel for work for days at a time, sacrificing his own wants and comforts for the betterment of his family. The fruit of his labor still benefits his family today. David’s dedication to working hard did not stop with his immediate family. Even in retirement, David volunteered his time assisting neighbors, particularly widows, with lawn care, snow removal, general maintenance, and anything else he could do to make their lives a little bit easier.
David had a lifelong love for music. He enjoyed listening to rock and roll and jazz, including The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, Styx, BB King, and Joe Bonamassa. David played the guitar daily and even recorded original love songs for his beloved wife while he was traveling for work. In retirement, David developed a passion for handcrafting and gifting cigar box electric guitars.
David enjoyed woodworking, golfing, his truck, the St. Louis Cardinals, and a good margarita on the beach with Cindy. He could fix anything and even graded his own repair work. Some would call him a perfectionist, but that was part of his charm. He always put his best effort forward, a lesson he passed on to those who knew him. And while all of this made David happy, nothing made him happier than being with his family. He was a cheerleader at countless sporting events and dance recitals for his children and grandchildren. He traveled all over the Midwest to watch them compete and always had a Band-Aid handy to address a scrape or blister. He even donned the occasional foam finger. When he could not attend in person, he was sure to tune in on GameChanger. His pride in his family was immeasurable.
David will be dearly missed by those who knew and loved him for his reliability, generosity, humility, strength, simplicity, selflessness, and his deep love and dedication to his family and friends.
David was preceded in death by his father Leonard and mother Athanasia; sisters JoAnne Gillum and Nona Griffith; and brothers Jim Schmidt and Steve Schmidt. He is survived by his wife, Cindy Schmidt, and his two children, Michael (Erin) Schmidt of Ankeny, Iowa, and Jessica (Jeremiah) Snow of Centralia. Also surviving David are his sister Peg (Gene) Wright; grandchildren Izzie, Jace, Deacon, Dax, Delaney, Hanleigh, Noah, Teddy, and Henry; and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to St. Louis Children’s Hospital, a place dear to David’s heart, and can be accepted by Sutherland-Garnier Funeral Home at 235 North Sycamore Street in Centralia, IL 62801 (618) 532-3523, who is honored to be of service to David’s family. Online condolences may be made to the family by visiting www.sutherlandfuneralhome.com or the Funeral Home’s Facebook page.
