Final Salute

David A. Schmelig Obituary

David A. Schmelig, 71, Bloomington, died Wednesday (Dec. 10, 2008) at Meadows Mennonite Retirement Community, Chenoa.

David was born May 1, 1937, the son of Amos and Erna Schmelig of St. Louis, Mo.

He married Joyce Herron in 1963, in Ventura, Calif. She survives.

David was a graduate of Cleveland High School and Washington University in St. Louis.

He earned a degree in civil engineering and served as an officer in the U.S. Navy Civil Engineer Corps. He was a member of the Seabees Mobile Construction Battalion 7, serving in Cuba, Spain and Italy.

After his military service, he was employed by the cities of Pasadena, Thousand Oaks and Ventura, Calif. Upon moving to Bloomington in 1974, he was assistant city engineer and also worked at the State of Illinois Capital Development Board in Springfield.

In 1976, he founded David A. Schmelig Consulting Engineers, specializing in civil and structural engineering and land surveying. He proudly served the McLean County area for over 30 years.

Gardening and sports – especially handball, racquetball and softball – were among David’s favorite activities. He was also an avid Cardinals baseball fan.

David was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Joan Preusser of St. Louis.

Survivors include his children, Karen Schmelig, Torrance, Calif.; Susan (Wes) Brodeur, Costa Mesa, Calif.; John Schmelig, North Hollywood, Calif.; Cathy (Clint) Donley, Marietta, Ga.; and Sarah Schmelig, Pasadena, Calif.; and his four grandchildren, Danielle and Charles Brodeur and Erika and Egan Donley.

David’s family would like to express their deep gratitude to the staff at Meadows for all their care and compassion.

His funeral will be at 9:30 a.m. Monday at Carmody-Flynn Williamsburg Funeral Home, Bloomington, and at 10 a.m. Monday at St. Mary’s Church, Bloomington, with the Rev. Ric Schneider and the Rev. Carl LoPresti officiating.
Burial will be in Holy Cross Cemetery, Normal. Visitation will be from 3 to 6 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home, where the rosary will be recited at 2:15 p.m.

Memorials may be made to Meadows Mennonite Retirement Community or St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Bloomington.