Ex-Batavia alderman Tom Schmitz dies

Former Batavia alderman Tom Schmitz died Wednesday. He was 73.

Schmitz served as the 4th Ward alderman from 1999 until he stepped down in 2011. He joined the council the same year his son Tim resigned to become a state representative. Tim Schmitz represented the 3rd Ward.

Tom Schmitz had also served on the Batavia school board from 1987 to 1993, including two years as its president.

Schmitz was on the city’s zoning board from 1980 until 1999. He was a Boy Scouts troop leader, and volunteered at his church, the Congregational Church of Batavia.

“He served as a model of hard work, integrity and dedication for the people of the state of Illinois,” wrote Tim Schmitz, in a House resolution honoring his father in 2011.

Tom Schmitz worked for 30 years at Fermilab.

He is survived by his wife, Nancy; sons Tim and Scott; five grandchildren; and two brothers.

Visitation is at 9 a.m., Saturday and a memorial service follows at 11:30 a.m., at the church, 21 S. Batavia Ave. Memorial gifts are being directed to the Phelin McDermid Syndrome Foundation, www.22Q13.org, in honor of his granddaughter Casey.