Jerome J. Schmelz

Jerome J. Schmelz, 86, passed away peacefully on November 3, 2026, at his home in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, surrounded by family.

Jerome was born on December 22, 1939, son of the late Albert and Louise (née Guck) Schmelz, in Perham, Minnesota. He married Joanne G. Hatlestad, of Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, on August 23, 1963, whom he met while they were both students at St. Cloud State University. He received his doctorate in sociology, focused on population studies, from the University of Minnesota. He taught at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh and spent a year working at the U.S. Census Bureau in Washington, D.C. He enjoyed a second career in computer programming, which culminated in work on the Y2K bug.

Highlights of Jerome's retirement years included beautifying Peace Lutheran Church, volunteering in New Orleans in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, and extended stays in Stockholm and London. In the past decade, Jerome and Joanne considered New York City a second home, particularly the community of Sunnyside. The months they spent there every year allowed him to participate in the busy lives of his four grandchildren. Although he described himself as a contented introvert, Jerome was known for genuine curiosity about people and the world, and engaged family and friends in deep discussion about current events, the universe's origins, economics, religion, investments, books, movies, great moments in sport, and his grandchildren's five-year plans.

Travel highlights included Moscow and St. Petersburg in the early post-Soviet years; a train trip beginning in Hong Kong to Guilin, China; a road trip to the U.S. West with his young family; and the annual return trip from New York to Wisconsin.

Despite these travels, he maintained that his favorite journey was the one that took him from rural Minnesota to Mexico in his youth, a trip that was inspired by Jack Kerouac's On the Road.

Jerome is survived by his wife, Joanne Schmelz; daughters, Gretchen (David Armstrong) and Abigail (Almar Latour); grandchildren Audrey, Christian, Maude and Merel; brother Donald Schmelz and sister Jeanne (née Schmelz) Hoskin.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brother Wilfred.

A memorial service for Jerome will be held on Monday, November 16, 2026, at Peace Lutheran Church, 240 W 9th Ave, Oshkosh, Wisconsin 54902, beginning at 11:00 am. A time of visitation will start at 10:00 am and continue until the start of the service. Burial will take place at Riverside Cemetery, Oshkosh. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Day by Day Shelter for vulnerable adults in Oshkosh or the Oshkosh Public Library Development and Support Fund.

The family would like to extend their deepest thanks for the steadfast care provided by Mercy Medical Center, St. Croix Hospice, Senior Stride Home Care, and Interim HealthCare Services.