Louis D. Schmidberger "Louie"

Louis D. Schmidberger “Louie”, lifelong resident of Joliet, age 90, passed away peacefully in his home on January 26, 2025. He was born to his parents Joseph and Mary (nee Skul) Schmidberger on November 28, 1934.

Louis began his career as a tool and die maker for Gerlach Barklow before becoming a proud member of the Carpenter’s Union Local #174. He was married for fifty-two years to the late Karen Schmidberger and together they raised their son Don in Joliet. Louie was proud to have served his country as a sailor in the United States Navy from 1957 to 1959 where he served as a valued crewmember on the U.S.S. Oglethorpe. Louie loved music, but most especially polka music. He played upright bass for many years and was, in fact, the sole remaining survivor of the local polka band “The Polkateers”. 

He and his son enjoyed watching movies together (anything by Quentin Tarantino always hit the mark) or catching a show at The Rialto. Louie also loved his many pets over the years, could consistently be counted on to use his many talents to fix anything that was broken, and excelled at using his wonderful sense of humor to bring a smile to someone’s face. He will always be remembered as “The Life of the Party”.

Louie was preceded in death by his parents, his loving wife of fifty-two years Karen Schmidberger (nee Johnson), his siblings Theresa Schmidberger, George (the late Lucille) Schmidberger, Agnes (the late Albert) Lovati, and Anton and Joseph Schmidberger in infancy.

He is survived by his son Don Schmidberger, his sister Genevive (the late Eugene) Klainsek, as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and other loved ones who also survive.

Donations in Louie’s name to the Will County Humane Society in Shorewood, IL or Lightways Hospice in Joliet, IL would be gratefully appreciated by the family.

A Celebration of Life Visitation will be held on Thursday, January 30, 2025 from 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm at Tezak’s Home to Celebrate Life, 1211 Plainfield Rd. Joliet, IL 60435. All guests are invited to return to Tezak’s on the morning of Friday, January 31, 2025 at 9:00 am for closing prayers before we travel in procession to Saint Joseph Catholic Church, 416 N. Chicago St. Joliet, IL for a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 am. Immediately following Mass, we will then process the Saint Joseph Catholic Cemetery, 1500 N. Raynor Ave. Joliet, IL for a Chapel Committal Service.