Thomas J. Schmidt Sr., age 61, of Green Springs, died Tuesday, October 8, 2019, at Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, following a lengthy illness.

Tom was born September 16,1958, in Sandusky. He was married and graduated from Perkins High School in 1976. Tom was a meat cutter at Sandusky Dressed Beef for 18 years and most recently he has been a member of the UAW at Ford Motor Co. in Brook Park Ohio, for over 20 years. He especially enjoyed his grandkids and loved to make them laugh. Tom was in his element in the outdoors, as well as loving to hunt, shoot, camp with friends and family, and he was known for being the grill-master at gatherings. He was also well known for making what was considered by many to be the best beef and deer jerky around. Many people loved him and will miss him dearly.

He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Teresa (Wolfe) Schmidt, who he married on 2/21/1976, when he was 17 and she was 16. He is also survived by their two daughters Carrie (Mike) Wright, Sandusky, and Alicia Kaeppner, Newark, OH; son Tom (Nicole) Schmidt Jr., Cleveland, OH; seven grandchildren Ethan, Evan, Aidan, Manye, Mia, Abe, and Gracie; two brothers Tim (Heather) Schmidt and John Schmidt, both of Bonnie Lake WA; mother-in-law Mary Wolfe, Castalia; sister in-law Shellie (Jerry) Parker, Wakeman; brother-in-law Mike Wolfe, Castalia; his close friend Jeff Reis of Sandusky, and many aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews.

Tom was preceded in death by his mother and step-father Florence (Hummel) and Harry Stockman; father and step-mother William and Leatrice Schmidt; brother Kenneth Schmidt; and father-in-law Clifford Wolfe.

Friends may call from 10 AM until 4 PM, Saturday, October 12, 2019, at Ransom Funeral & Cremation Service, 610 S. Washington St., Castalia.  Private family services will be held at a later date.

Online condolences may be shared with the family by visiting www.ransomfuneralhome.com