Celestine "Cel" Schmitz

Celestine “Cel” Schmitz, age 89, of Grants Pass, died Monday, December 30, 2013 at Redwood Terrace.

A memorial service will be at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, January 4, 2014 at St Patrick of the Forest Catholic Church in Cave Junction. Hull & Hull Funeral Directors are in charge of arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be made to Guide Dogs for the Blind Inc., 350 Los Ranchitos Road, San Rafael, California 94903.

Celestine was born July 18, 1924 in Seneca, Kansas to William & Alice Schmitz. At 16 years old, he started working in the grocery industry. He graduated from Seneca High School in Seneca, Kansas in 1941. In 1956 he married Marilyn Anne Wittner in San Carlos, California. From 1960 to 1965 he owned and operated a grocery store, Cel’s Handy Pantry in Red Bluff, California. From 1965 to 1970 he owned and operated The Hilt Store in Hilt, California. In 1970 he retired and moved from Hilt to Cave Junction. In 2006 he moved from Cave Junction to Grants Pass.

He was a member of the Lions Club in Cave Junction where he was the Sight and Blind committee chair; Elks Club in Red Bluff, California and he attended St. Patrick of the Forest Catholic Church in Cave Junction.

Celestine was a sports fan and especially enjoyed baseball and football. He had two guide dogs that he enjoyed. He loved big bands and especially spending time with his wife.

Survivors include two daughters, Dianne Videtto of Fullerton, California and Denise Olson of Grants Pass; one brother, Roger Schmitz of Kansas City, Missouri and four grandchildren and one great-grandson.

Preceding him in death was his wife, Marilyn Schmitz in 1993; three sisters and five brothers.