Carol Kay Schmitt (nee Frutiger), age 83, of Highland, IL (formerly of St. Jacob, IL) passed away peacefully on April 7, 2025, at Evelyn’s House Hospice Care in Creve Coeur, MO. Carol was born on April 19, 1941, in Highland, IL, the daughter of Elam L. and Lila C. (nee Frey) Frutiger.
Carol graduated with the last class of St. Jacob High School in 1959 and worked a few secretarial jobs until she and her husband Jerry started a family. Later, she worked for 32 years as a bus driver for the Triad School District. She was a lifetime member of St. Jacob United Church of Christ and was an avid St. Louis Cardinals baseball fan and University of Illinois basketball fan. She loved cooking and baking, traveling with her family and friends, her beloved pets, and watching her granddaughters play softball. Most of all, Carol enjoyed her family and the times they spent together.
Carol was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, Jerry E. Schmitt, who passed away on December 28, 2023, father Elam L. Frutiger, mother Lila C. Frutiger-Huber, stepfather Merl H. Huber, brothers Lloyd Frutiger and Wayne Frutiger, and sister-in-law Linda Frutiger.
She is survived by daughter Beth Ann (Bruce) Frank of St. Jacob, IL, son Darren E. Schmitt of St. Jacob, IL, granddaughter Brittany A. Frank of Collinsville, IL, granddaughter Bailey A. Frank of Highland, IL, sister-in-law Sokun Frutiger of Collinsville, IL, nieces, nephews, and cousins.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to St. Jacob United Church of Christ Memorial Fund (207 West Main St, St. Jacob, IL 62281) or to Keystone Cemetery (PO Box 275, St. Jacob, IL 62281).
Visitation for Carol will be held 10:00am to 12:00pm on Friday, April 11, 2025, at St. Jacob United Church of Christ, St. Jacob, IL.
Funeral services will be held at 12:00pm on Friday, April 11, 2025, at St. Jacob United Church of Christ, St. Jacob, IL with Rev. Philip Barbier officiating, Interment in Keystone Cemetery, St. Jacob, IL
