By Mary OwenTribune staff reporter
Published June 20, 2007
A family vacation trip to Colorado turned tragic for a Chicago family when a mother and two of her children died when their sport-utility vehicle rolled into a ditch on Interstate Highway 80 near Williamsburg in eastern Iowa.Mary Ann Schmitz, 39, and two of her four children, Kassidy Smith, 8, and Jeremy Smith, 13, were killed early Saturday. Belton Kelly Smith, Schmitz's longtime boyfriend and the father of her children, was driving the family's recently purchased Dodge Durango when the vehicle went into a ditch, rolled over and ejected some of the occupants, police said.
Smith and the couple's two other children, Robert Smith, 16, and Shane Smith, 11, were treated for injuries at an Iowa hospital and released, family members said. Robert had a broken collarbone and Shane had a bump on his head, said Irene Schmitz, Mary Ann Schmitz's mother."They came over to say goodbye Thursday night," Irene Schmitz said. "They were so loving. Oh, my goodness, I'm going to be devastated without them. They were such wonderful children. My daughter was a wonderful lady."The family left their Edgewater home shortly after midnight Saturday and were headed to Pueblo, Colo., where Smith's family lived, family members said. They were expected to return Saturday, in time for the christening of Mary Ann Schmitz's infant nephew. She was supposed to be the godmother, Irene Schmitz said.Family members went to Iowa after police contacted them. Mary Ann and Shane died Saturday morning, and Kassidy, who suffered multiple injuries to her head and body, died Saturday afternoon, Schmitz said.Mary Ann Schmitz worked as a legal secretary at a downtown law firm for more than 20 years, her mother noted. She volunteered often at her children's school and at her family's parish, St. Gertrude Catholic Church, on the North Side.She was the youngest of five siblings and attended Robert Morris College, her mother added. Mary Ann and Belton met while students at Senn High School, she said.The children who died attended Northside Catholic Academy, where Kassidy was a 4th grader and a member of the Girl Scouts, her grandmother said."Kassidy was so sweet," said her aunt, Lisa Schmitz, of Lake Villa. "Her brothers always watched out for her."Family members said Jeremy, an 8th grader, was the most outgoing and athletic of the children, playing basketball and baseball. They added that the family was very close-knit and that the children frequently visited their grandmother's house in Edgewater and saw their aunt at least once a week."Mary Ann wasn't just a sister. She was a friend," Lisa said. "I loved the children. They were like my own."Visitation for Mary Ann Schmitz and her two children is scheduled from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday in the Barr Funeral Home, 6222 N. Broadway. A funeral mass is scheduled to be said at 10 a.m. Friday in St. Gertrude Catholic Church, 1420 W. Granville Ave.
Jeremy and Kassidy Smith
Jeremy, 13 and Kassidy, 8 Smith. Beloved children of Kelly Smith and the late Mary Ann Schmitz and siblings of Robbie and Shane. Cherished grandchildren of Irene (late Thomas) Schmitz and Beverly Collins; niece and nephew of Paul (Lynn), Tom (Connie), John (Leni), Lisa Schmitz, and Jason Collins; cousins to many. Visitation Thursday from 3 pm to 9 pm at Barr Funeral Home, 6222 N. Broadway, Chicago. Funeral leaving Friday 9:30 for 10 a.m. Mass at St. Gertrude Church. Internment Rosehill Cemetery. Donations for the Schmitz-Smith Children's Trust, payable to Robert Dywer may be mailed to funeral home.
Schmitz, Mary Ann
Mary Ann Schmitz, 39, dearly loved partner of Kelly Smith; loving mother of Robbie, Shane and the late Jeremy and Kassidy Smith; dear daughter of Irene and the late Thomas Schmitz; loving sister to Paul (Lynn), Tom (Connie), John (Leni) and Lisa Schmitz; aunt to many nieces and nephews. Visitation Thursday from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Barr Funeral Home, 6222 N. Broadway, Chicago. Funeral leaving Friday 9:30 for 10 a.m. Mass at St. Gertrude Church. Internment Rosehill Cemetery. Donations for the Schmitz-Smith Children's Trust, payable to Robert Dywer may be mailed to funeral home. For information call Barr Funeral Home (773) 743-4034
Mary Ann Schmitz, 39, dearly loved partner of Kelly Smith; loving mother of Robbie, Shane and the late Jeremy and Kassidy Smith; dear daughter of Irene and the late Thomas Schmitz; loving sister to Paul (Lynn), Tom (Connie), John (Leni) and Lisa Schmitz; aunt to many nieces and nephews. Visitation Thursday from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Barr Funeral Home, 6222 N. Broadway, Chicago. Funeral leaving Friday 9:30 for 10 a.m. Mass at St. Gertrude Church. Internment Rosehill Cemetery. Donations for the Schmitz-Smith Children's Trust, payable to Robert Dywer may be mailed to funeral home. For information call Barr Funeral Home (773) 743-4034
2 comments:
My condolences to their family. NOW UPDATE BEFORE I GET EVEN MORE DEPRESSED GOOF HEAD!
Hi my name is Melanie Gutierrez. I am 17 years old and I live in Nebraska. I go to Mercy High School, an all girls Catholic School, I was on the computer with my mom and was very sad to come up across this article... Blessings and prayers go out to the families affected by this tragedy. I would love to be in contact with the Belton if I can, as we have a lot to talk about. Please and Thank you!
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