Milo Joseph Schmuckal

Milo "Jay" Joseph Schmuckal

Milo enjoyed 80 wonderful years on this earth. He was born on February 2, 1944, to Armond and Eleanor Schmuckal on their homestead farm in Hannah (Kingsley), Michigan. Milo was the youngest of the family, with an older brother, Allan Schmuckal, and an older sister, Geraldine Sailus.

Milo was called home to the Lord on Sunday April 21, 2024, surrounded by his loving family at his home, after a brave fight with pancreatic cancer. His diagnosis came the day before his 80th birthday. Even through this heavy news, Milo's family celebrated his milestone birthday by dressing up as him through the decades of his life, donning outfits representing 70's fashion, basketball champion, baseball player, farmer, soldier, hunter, and heavy equipment operator.

Growing up on his family farm in Hannah, Milo helped with farm chores alongside his siblings from a very young age, learning the values of hard work, determination, and grit. He was proud to have attended and graduated from Saint Mary of Hannah School, often reminiscing about the year the basketball team won the championship. Over the years since he has visited the trophy case many times for one more look.

In the Army, Milo served his country proudly as a Nuclear Weapons Specialist in Okinawa. In his off-duty time there he earned a reputation as one of the best boxers on the base.

In 1974, Chari (Buell) Schmuckal captured Milo's heart, and they were wed on June 10, 1978. Milo often boasted about a romantic gesture when Chari had to work late one date night, missing the dinner he planned to cook for her. He decided to bring the date to her, he loaded up the hot charcoal grill with their steaks already cooking on it into the bed of his pick-up truck and drove it across town to her. He later built their first home as a family on Duck Lake, doing most of the work himself on weekends and late evenings. Together, Milo and Chari raised two children, Brian Schmuckal of Kingsley and Angela (Schmuckal) Swegles of Traverse City.

Farming ran deep in Milo's blood, and he passed this passion onto his son Brian, who will continue the family legacy living and working on the farm. Milo enjoyed working alongside his older brother Allan, spending countless hours together on their now Centennial Family Farm, nurturing the land that their ancestors had chosen years ago.

Throughout his life, Milo worked as a heavy equipment operator, alongside his brother Allan building pipelines and working in oil and gas. He was a Lifetime Member of International Union of Operating Engineers Local 324 and an active member of St. Mary Hannah Church. Milo found joy in watching Tigers baseball and most of all cherished attending his grandchildren's sporting events, choir concerts, and holiday presentations.

In retirement, Milo continued farming with Allan and Brian. When not on the farm, he enjoyed taking Chari out to dinner or going on short day trips with his wife around the state.

Friends and family will fondly remember Milo for his strong handshake, gentle kindness, love for farming, MacGyver-like problem solving skills, and most of all, his mischievous smile after delivering an unexpected joke. The family has noted that they already miss hearing him hum. He often could be caught unknowingly humming to himself when he felt content and happy.

Milo is survived by his beloved wife, Chari Lynne Schmuckal; son Brian (Heather) Schmuckal; daughter Angela (Jonathan) Swegles; grandchildren Eva, Troy, and Clayton Schmuckal, Hayes and Whittaker Swegles; older brother Allan (Barb) Schmuckal; many cousins, nieces, nephews, friends, and coworkers; and of course his four-legged family member, Lucy Lu.

He was preceded in death by his parents Armond and Eleanor, older sister Geraldine Sailus and her husband Bob, four nephews, and best friend Bill Baynton.

Visitation will be held at Reynolds Jonkhoff Funeral Home in Traverse City on Monday, April 29th from 5-7pm, with a Catholic Rosary at 7 pm, followed by an invitation to share stories. Additional visitation may be made at 11 am Tuesday on April 30th at St. Mary Hannah Church, where Milo's final Mass will take place at noon. The family invites attendees to celebrate with a luncheon in the school cafeteria afterward. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Mary Hannah General Fund.

Special gratitude is extended to Milo's team of caregivers. Tammi Schmuckal has been a selfless helper, showering both Milo and Chari with love, care, and hugs. Sunrise Healthcare, Jen, and Alanna were wonderful and Milo's family highly recommends them. Special thanks also go to the team at Cowell Family Cancer Center, Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation, Dr. Kroll, Lura, and Mike.