By: Mark Holtsberry
Louis Charles Schmunk was born on February 21, 1896, in Chicago, Illinois, Louis Charles Schmunk was the son of Peter Schmunk Sr., born on February 26, 1871, in Germany, and Minnie (Albright) Schmunk, born on January 13, 1876, in New York. Peter and Minnie were married on June 14, 1894, in Chicago, Illinois.
By 1900, the couple was living at 1125 West 95th Street in Chicago, where Peter worked as a day laborer. They were the parents of Matilda May, born on February 8, 1895, followed by Louis Charles on February 21, 1896, and Peter Edward on October 31, 1897.
By 1910, the Schmunk family had moved to Carryall Township, where Peter worked as a farmer. Their family grew with the addition of Edwin William, born on December 7, 1899, Arthur Frank, born on December 30, 1904, Walter Albright, born on October 25, 1907, Grace Edith, born on August 14, 1910, and Raymond E., born on October 6, 1913.
Louis attended Ohio State University and Bowling Green University. On June 4, 1917, he registered for the World War I draft at the Antwerp precinct. He was listed as a farmer, of medium height and slender build, with blue eyes and brown hair. At the time, he was working in Beavertown, Michigan. Louis applied for a quartermaster position in the Ohio National Guard.
On April 17, 1918, in Coldwater, Michigan, Louis married Gladys E. Slack, who was born on April 14, 1897, in Randolph, Vermont.
His brother Edwin registered for the draft on September 4, 1918. He was described as tall with a stout build, blue eyes, and dark hair. Edwin was a student at Ohio State University and, on October 15, 1918, was placed in the Student Army Training Corps program. He was honorably discharged on December 11, 1918.
On May 25, 1918, Louis joined the National Army. As a private, he was assigned to the 159th Depot Brigade. He served until August 25, 1918, when he was honorably discharged. He then accepted a commission as a Second Lieutenant in the Ohio National Guard and was honorably discharged on December 5, 1918, at Camp Sherman, Ohio.
After his military service, Louis and Gladys welcomed their daughter, Evelyn Marie, on October 11, 1919. Louis became a school teacher in Chillicothe. The family later moved back to Antwerp, living on River Street, where Louis worked for the Antwerp Equity Exchange.
In 1920, their son Wayne Jay was born, but he tragically passed away in January 1925. He was buried in Maumee Cemetery. Another son, Russell Lee, was born on August 30, 1922. He became a pilot in World War II and was killed in March 1945 when he was shot down over Burma. He was also buried in Maumee Cemetery.
A son, Paul Lynn, was born on September 1, 1925, in Oak Harbor. He served in the Navy during World War II and later became a doctor. Their daughter, Martha June, was born on November 21, 1926.
By 1930, Louis was working as a manager for the Ottawa County Cooperative, and the family lived at 153 South Maple Street in Oak Harbor, Ohio.
On September 25, 1932, Louis’s father, Peter Schmunk, passed away and was buried in Maumee Cemetery. By 1940, Louis was still living in Oak Harbor, and in 1942, he registered for the World War II draft. At that time, his children were all in school.
On November 7, 1945, Louis suffered a stroke. He passed away on November 9, 1945, at Magruder Hospital in Port Clinton, Ohio. Funeral services were held at Grace Lutheran Church, officiated by Rev. Frederick M. Otto. Burial services took place on Monday, November 12, 1945, at 1:00 p.m. at Maumee Cemetery.
… Until Next Time!
