Rincon – Steven Marlon Schmidt, 70, passed away October 27, 2024 at Memorial Health.

The Florida native served in the U.S. Air Force and retired from GA Air National Guard 165th Airlift Wing as a Lt. Col. after 22 years.  He was honored to have completed the Top Gun program.  He then retired from Flight Safety after 20 years.  His greatest passion was aviation and flying.  He was a charter member of RACA (Ridgeland Aviation Community Association) and Gopher Hill Hangar.  He was a longtime member of the Quiet Birdmen group.  He flew F-4's and F-15's in the U.S. Air Force.  He enjoyed his RV8 and was currently building a Sling TSI.  He was an active member of the First Baptist Church of Rincon and the Encourager's Sunday School Class.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Gerald Schmidt and Frances Crews Schmidt.

He is survived by his wife, Cheryl Schmidt; children, Lauren Cain (Joshua), Brian Schmidt (Amanda), and Daniel Lyautey (Allison); grandchildren, Cora and Willa Cain, Sophia and Emerson Schmidt, Nicolai Boechler, and Avron Lyautey; brothers, Gene Schmidt (Susan) and Jerry Schmidt; honorary sister, Paula Hennessey; honorary brother, Jamie Bull, and his Sigma Chi brothers; several nieces and nephews; and his dog, Chewy.

Visitation will be 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, November 1, 2024 followed by memorial  services at 2 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Rincon.

Private graveside services will be held at Beaufort National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers donations may be given to First Baptist Church of Rincon Missions Fund, 201 E. 6th Street, Rincon, GA 31326 or Mission Mbale Inc., P.O. Box 73975, Newnan, GA 30271.

Thomas C. Strickland & Sons Funeral Home, Effingham Chapel. 912-754-6421