Daniel Schmitt

A Graveside Service for Daniel Eric Schmitt, 26, of Miles City, MT will be at 2:30 p. m. on Thursday, September 16, 2010 at the Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis, SD with Jesse LaBree officiating. Military Rites will be provided by the Ellsworth Air Force Base Honor Guard and the Belle Fourche Honor Guard. Daniel passed away on Monday, September 6, 2010, at the Rapid City Regional Hospital in Rapid City, SD. Daniel Eric Schmitt was born May 22, 1984, to John Schmitt and Betty (Linkfield) Mioduski in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He left us too soon as the result of a tragic accident. Dan went to school at Riverview High School in Oakmont, PA and joined the United States Air Force in 2002. He dreaded being transferred to Minot, North Dakota, and leaving behind his friends in Pennsylvania; but, it was there that he formed many lasting friendships and met his adventure partner, Blake Willson, in 2007. Dan learned his love of hunting and shooting sports from his life long friend, J. W. and the Tabacchi family. He was a boy scout who always wanted to be outdoors and liked doing things with his hands. He either had to be riding something with wheels or underneath it tinkering. He had a special passion for Jeeps. He referred to “Sally,” his Jeep, as his other girlfriend. Dan sought adventures of all kinds. Dan and Blake roamed the hills and prairies of North and South Dakota, Wyoming and Montana searching for Geo-caches. They kayaked any open water they could find, sometimes before the ice had even thawed. Dan lived life to the fullest. Each new day was an opportunity to do something exciting and have fun. He was a computer whiz and a carpenter who remodeled his own home. The mechanical bull in Sturgis couldn’t throw him off so he wanted to ride a real bucking bull. Dan loved dogs. Every dog he would meet he would say “Hi, Friend. ” One of his goals was to buy some property and raise big dogs. Dan worked for Nabors Drilling in North Dakota. He made many new friends on the rig. His schedule of two weeks on and two weeks off left plenty of time for Dan’s gallivanting. He especially enjoyed his summer vacation showing his mom the sights in Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. Boating was another passion of Dan’s. He water-skied, knee boarded, wake boarded and tubed on every lake in the area. He spent the last two days of his life doing what he loved best–spending time with Blake at Orman Dam. Above all, Dan was a loving son, brother and friend. He is mourned by his mother, Betty Mioduski, Oakmont, PA; his son, Cody Schmitt; sister Robin, and her children; and Dan’s loving companion and best friend, Blake Willson, Miles City, MT. He is also survived by numerous friends who share in our grief at the tragic loss of one so young.


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Burial Date: September 16, 2010
Funeral Home Ekalaka, MT

Graveside Service: Thursday, Black Hill National Cemetery, Sturgis, SD