Dorothy Jean Schmitt, 89, was welcomed into heaven and straight into the loving arms of Jesus Christ on February 15, 2021.  She is reunited with her true love and soul mate, Rev. Howard S. Schmitt.

Jean was born to John "Jack" Seymour West and Rosalie Clementine Bradshaw West on January 21, 1932 in Brantford, Ontario, Canada. Jean became a nurse after graduating from Hamilton General Hospital's nursing program in 1955.  She met Howard Schmitt at Toronto Bible College and they married May 20, 1960. Together they entered fulltime pastoral ministry in Ontario, Ohio, Florida, and again in Ohio where they retired. As a nurse, Jean worked in Surgery and later Case Management at Mary Rutan Hospital in Bellefontaine, Ohio.

Jean was preceded in death by her husband Howard, her parents Jack and Leah West, in-laws Delton and Beulah Schmitt, brother and sister-in-law Jim and Florence West, and brother-in-law Bill Martin.

Jean is survived by daughter Valerie (Gary) Jones of Plain City, Ohio, and son Jeffrey (Michael Petrilli) Schmitt of Amherst, Massachusetts. She is also survived by sisters-in-law Dorothy (Ralph) Shantz and Betty Martin, along with nieces and nephews and their families of Ontario and Nova Scotia, Canada.  Jean loved Gary's family and always considered them her own. These special bonds will not be broken. Jean leaves so many friends, in particular those from South Union Mennonite Church, congregations served, the Greater Columbus Emmaus Community, and the residents and staff at The Inn at Green Hills to cherish her memory.

Our Mom lived a grace-filled, inspirational life which is a testament to her joyful, spunky, and loving spirit.  This past year has been devastating for Mom as she, like so many others, experienced isolation and loneliness due to the pandemic.  The past two and a half months have been particularly challenging.  As a family, we are forever grateful for each staff member at The Inn in the Green Hills Community who fearlessly and lovingly cared for our Mom. Their efforts to help us Skype every day was a lifeline that she and we needed to keep connected.  We further cherish the support of Cheryl, Jenny and Karla from Universal Hospice. So many friends and family lavished Mom with cards, flowers, and prayer to bolster her spirits and remind her how deeply loved she was by so many. Thank you!

A Funeral Service will be held Saturday, February 20, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. at Jennings Farley & Seeley Funeral Home & Crematory, Pastors Matthew Williams and Jared Chase to officiate. Visitation will be held Friday, February 19, 2021 from 3:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the Funeral Home and again on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the service. A private family burial will take place in South Union Mennonite Church Cemetery.

For those attending masks are required and social distancing will be observed. For those not able to attend you may watch the service via Facebook Live at https://www.facebook.com/132257500281737/live/

Memorial contributions can be made to Mennonite Central Committee, PO Box 500, Akron, PA 17501 or donate online at www.mcc.org ; in memory of Jean Schmitt or you may make a contribution to the Green Hills Community, attn: Nita Wilkinson, 6557 US 68 South, West Liberty, OH 43357; in memory of Jean Schmitt .

Online Condolences may be expressed at www.jenningsfarley.com