Stephen Jerard Schemmel

Stephen (Steve) Jerard Schemmel, 66, entered God’s Kingdom on Thursday, Jan. 27, 2022, after a courageous and humble battle with pancreatic cancer. Steve passed away in peace surrounded by family.

He was born in Cleveland on Nov. 19, 1955, to William Louis and Janet Marie Schemmel. Steve was predeceased by his father, William, and his brother, Peter. He is survived by his daughter, Sarah, his son, Alec, his former spouse, Joann, his mother, Janet, his sister, Susan, and his brothers, Scott, John, James, Judd, Mark, Matthew and Luke.     

In addition to being a dedicated father, husband, son, brother, and friend, Steve served over 23 years in the U.S. military and spent 20 years as a managing director at two of the nation’s leading investment firms.

After his graduation from Edgewood High School in Madison, Wisconsin, in 1974, Steve went on to study at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, class of 1979. He joined the U.S. Marine Corps following graduation, where he spent 14-years in the Supply Corps and served in support of Operation Desert Shield/Strom during the Gulf War.

While maintaining service to his country Steve also furthered his education, earning a Master’s in Finance from Duke University in 1987.

He went on to enjoy a meaningful and successful career in the financial industry, at one point spearheading efforts to help grow affordable housing opportunities and support small business development in the state of Wisconsin for several years.      

Steve later joined the Navy Reserve’s Supply Corps, during which time he was deployed to Kuwait for 10-months in support Operation Iraqi Freedom. Steve ultimately retired from his military service in 2013 as a Commander.

While Steve’s devotion to his work was unique and unmatched by many, his devotion to his faith far surpassed anything material. Jesus Christ was at the center of Steve’s life at all times, as many of his family and friends can attest. He served the Lord in many ways, often encouraging those around him to also work towards being humble servants of God.

More recently he dedicated a portion of his life to the Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites, as well as to leadership and employment at The Cathedral of St. Thomas More in Arlington, Virginia. Steve’s devotion to God and to charity will long be remembered in the hearts of many who he impacted spiritually.

Steve’s Mass of Christian Burial Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday February 3, 2022, at Queen of the Apostles Catholic Church in Belmont, North Carolina, located at 503 North Main St. Prior to the service, a short viewing will be available beginning at 10:00 a.m. for anyone who wishes to attend. The funeral will be followed by a burial ceremony at Belmont Abbey College Cemetery approximately a mile from Queen of the Apostles.  Services will also be livestreamed at https://www.queenoftheapostles.org/.

The family asks that anyone interested, in lieu of flowers, make donations to support pancreatic cancer research (The Rolfe Pancreatic Cancer Foundation or The Lustgarten Foundation), which will help support early detection and treatment outcomes for those afflicted with the disease.