Robert Peter Schmitz

New Iberia A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 AM Monday, September 29, 2014 at St. Peter Catholic Church in New Iberia for Robert P. Schmitz., 83, who died Tuesday, September 16, 2014, in Baton Rouge. Entombment will follow in the Holy Family Cemetery. Rev. Thomas Habetz will be the Celebrant. A gathering of family and friends will be Sunday from 5:00 PM until 9:00 PM at Pellerin Funeral Home in New Iberia. A rosary will be prayed at 6:30 PM Sunday with Deacon Jay Bergeron. Visitation will continue on Monday from 8:00 AM until 10:30 AM. Mr. Schmitz was born on April 14, 1931 to Herbert and Hildegarde Ripp Schmitz, in Roxbury, Wisconsin. He proudly served our country in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War, where he was a member of the Mosquitos 6147 Tactical Control Group. A longtime resident of New Iberia, he began his career in the oilfield with DJ Rental Tools, in New Iberia, as a truck driver and worked his way up to Secretary/Treasurer. He then became part owner of MSF Rental Tools. Mr. Schmitz served as an usher at St. Peter Catholic Church for over 32 years, and was a member of the American Legion Post 26, the Oilmens Bowling League, and AARP. He also enjoyed baseball, LSU football, and solving crossword puzzles Survivors include his wife of 63 years, Leatrice Broussard Schmitz; daughters, Jeanine S. Koenig and husband Harvey W. Koenig, II of Baton Rouge, Lori S. Whitehead and husband George W. Whitehead, IV of Flowood, Mississippi; brothers, Richard Dick Schmitz; brother-in-law, Woody Kissiar; grandchildren, Charles Chuck McGrew and wife Melinda, Benjamin R. Koenig, Alison Comeaux and husband Tyler J. P.J. Comeaux; great grandchildren, Angela D. McGrew, Brandon A. McGrew, and Noah R. Koenig. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Laverne Sam Schmitz; sisters, Janet S. Borg, Joyce S. Kissiar; and twin sons who were stillborn. Pallbearers will be Harvey W. Koenig, II, George W. Whitehead, IV, Benjamin R. Koenig, Tyler J. P.J. Comeaux, Brendan S. Delcambre, Sr., Noah Koenig, and Glenn J. Viator Honorary pallbearers include Richard Dick Schmitz, and Dudley Gros. The family would like to give special thanks to Joyce and the staff at Bi-Los, Brendan and Brandy Delcambre, Lou Jean Derouen, Dahrie Koenig, and Hope Malahmeh for all their help with our parents. Pellerin Funeral Home, 502 Jefferson Terrace Blvd., New Iberia, LA 70560, 337.365.3331, is in charge of arrangements.