Arthur Martin Schmuckal

Arthur Martin Schmuckal
Died November 14, 2012

TRAVERSE CITY- After living every day to the fullest, Arthur (Art) Martin Schmuckal, 91, of Traverse City, peacefully passed away Wednesday at Munson Medical Center surrounded by his loving family. He is now reunited with Mary, the love of his life, who passed away in March 1999.
Born April 10, 1921 on the family farm in Hannah, MI. he was the son of Charles and Frances (Tarchinski) Schmuckal. On October 30, 1945, he married Mary Elizabeth Hoffer at Hannah St. Mary's Church.
He was a true gentleman, loving father, compassionate citizen, and trustworthy friend. People were drawn to his charismatic personality and integrity and he was quick to crack a joke, with a smile that put others at ease. He also gave the gift of friendship by caring for others, giving advice, and reaching out to those in need. He was a true gentleman, loving father, compassionate citizen, and trustworthy friend. People were drawn to his charismatic personality and integrity and he was quick to crack a joke, with a smile that put others at ease. He also gave the gift of friendship by caring for others, giving advice, and reaching out to those in need.

He graduated in the top 7 of the first graduating class at Hannah St. Mary's. He was a lifelong resident of the Traverse City area where Mary and he raised their family. In his early years, he was a farmer, and also worked at the local livestock sales barn where he was one of the staff that weighed the livestock and eventually he was a recorder of prices for the auctioneer. He farmed on the 125 acre family farm where he raised potatoes and livestock. For nine years he sold Surge Milkers to about 900 farmers in 10 Northern Michigan counties. The ethics of being a hard working farmer carried over into his next career as a Shell Jobber.

In 1955, along with George Slane, they formed the Slane and Schmuckal Oil Co., a Shell Oil Company distributor, in Traverse City. In 1960, George moved to California and the company was renamed Schmuckal Oil Co. Art retired in 1998. He was a well-respected businessman, treating all fairly. He was a mentor to many and considered all who worked for him as family.

Art and Mary were one of the founding parishioners' of St. Patrick Catholic Church. He was a life member of the TC Golf and Country Club, the Traverse City Elks Lodge, and Traverse City Optimist Club. He sat on and had leadership roles on the County Road commission for 24 years, was a Blair Township supervisor for 9 years, State of Michigan Lieutenant Governor of the Optimist Club, Michigan Petroleum Association chairman of the board, Shell Oil Company jobber council chairman, Northwestern Michigan Fair board, Chamber of Commerce board, and numerous other community boards. In 1997, Northwestern Michigan College named the University Center after Art and his wife Mary. He was recognized with several awards including the 1987 Traverse City Chamber Commerce Distinguished Service Award, a Rotary Foundation of Rotary International Paul Harris Fellow in 2004, and a Northwestern Michigan College Fellow along with Mary in 1989.

A true philanthropist, he gave of his talents, time, and treasure to support countless local programs. He took a leadership role in building campaigns for many community organizations, such as Grand Traverse Area Catholic Schools, Northwestern Michigan Community College, Munson Medical Center, and others. In 1999, he formed the Art and Mary Schmuckal Family Foundation which has supported many non-profit organizations. Church, family, education, and community were all important to him.

Along with Mary, many memories have been created. He hosted family picnics for over 40 years. He cherished the time with family and celebrated all the big and little moments- enjoying the Sunday dinners together and birthday celebrations. There was always laughter and his home was always ready for a party with friends and family (and serving manhattan's and stingers). Art taught many lessons to the family and to others that knew him over the years. These included humility, honesty, love, friendship and prayer.

Art is survived by sons Paul (Patty Smith) and Don (Susan Kinney), and daughters Evelyn (Mike) Richardson and Barbara (Chuck) Benson. He has ten grandchildren: Kevin (Debbie) Schmuckal, Erin (Drew) Henshaw, Alison Schmuckal and Kelly (Cam) McLeod, Jacob, Caleb (Liberty), and Isaac Richardson and Andrew, Griffin and Matthew Benson. There are five great grandchildren: Kyle, Devin, and Danielle Schmuckal and Cassidy and Chloe Henshaw whose company he enjoyed being with as well. Honorary family members, Kaylena Alexander Kinney. There are also numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Preceding him in death were his parents and all of his siblings, Mary (Charles) Rhodes, John (Victoria), Armond (Eleanor), Elmer (Rose), Ralph (Patricia), and Madelyn (Max) Lighthiser and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Visitation for Art will take place tomorrow from 5-8pm at the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home and also on Tuesday, November 20, at the St. Patrick Catholic Church from 4-7pm with a prayer service held at 6pm. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00am with a visitation held one hour prior on Wednesday, November 21, at St. Patrick Catholic Church; Monsignor Francis Murphy will serve as celebrant. Burial will be in Grand Traverse Memorial Gardens after cremation with a private family service.

The family would like to thank the exceptional care and support provided by Dr. S. Lee Warnaar, M.D. over the years and the caring nurses on A3 at Munson Medical Center, especially Brian, Jan, and Allison.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Art & Mary Schmuckal Scholarship at Northwestern Michigan College, Grand Traverse Area Catholic Schools Foundation for scholarships, Optimist Foundation.