James Schmitt, 83, of Mendota died Jan. 12, 2012, in Rockford Memorial Hospital. Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday in Holy Cross Catholic Church, Mendota with the Rev. Gary Blake officiating. Burial will be at Holy Cross Cemetery, Mendota with military rites by Mendota VFW Post 4079. Visitation will be 2-5 p.m. Sunday in Merritt Funeral Home, Mendota with a 5 p.m. rosary. He was born May 17, 1928, in Mendota to Frank J. and Sueann (Bromenschenkel) Schmitt. He married Celeste Hochstatter on Aug. 13, 1960, in Holy Cross Church. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps. Stymie graduated from Mendota High School in 1946 where he played football, basketball and baseball. He continued his love of baseball by signing a contract with the Chicago White Sox to play for their minor league farm clubs. He continued to be active in Mendota baseball by managing teams in Little League, Senior League and American Legion ball. He was a member of Holy Cross Church and active in many areas of the church, none more so than as an extraordinary minister of communion to parishioners in their homes, nursing homes or hospital. In May 2010, Stymie retired after 56 years as a barber in local barbershops. He was always available to give a haircut to those in the hospital or at nursing homes. He is survived by his wife; one daughter, Lisa (John) Corcoran of Sublette; two sons, Daniel Schmitt of Cherry and James (Wendy) Schmitt of Elmhurst; four grandchildren, Kelsey, Lauren, Austin and Alexis; one sister, Ann Marie Wujek of Mendota; and nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by four brothers, Frank, Donald, Robert and Ralph; eight sisters, Gertrude, Elizabeth, Sister Verona, Francile, Ruth, Mary, Catharine and Suzann; and one daughter-in-law, Kathy Schmitt. Memorials may be directed to Masses or donor's choice.