August “Augie” Schmidt, III, age 89, passed away at Oak Ridge Care Center in Union Grove, on Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026.
Augie was born in Chicago to August II and Alice (nee Lester) Schmidt on Dec. 26, 1936. He graduated from Steinmetz High School in Chicago, and earned his Master’s Degree in Education from Western Illinois University. On July 15, 1978, Augie was united in marriage with Lisa Thompson, and as backpacking was one of their favorite activities together, their honeymoon was in Montana on a backpack adventure.
Augie spent over 25 years at Carthage College as a teacher, baseball and football coach and athletic director. His world revolved around sports. He was a pitcher in the Boston Red Sox organization; he was a three-sport star during his college career at Carthage and he was inducted into the Carthage College Hall of Fame as player and coach. As a high school football coach at Burlington Catholic Central, his team won a state championship and Augie was named Coach of the Year. Outside of his life in sports, his activities and interests included, playing golf, especially at Brighton Dale Golf Club where he worked there during his retirement years; running marathons; reading; and back packing with Lisa in, Arizona, Colorado and New Mexico.
Surviving are his loving wife of 48 years, Lisa; son, August IV (Michele) Schmidt; daughter, Heather Lux; grandchildren, Chelsea Schmidt, Meghan Lux, Gavin (Molly) Lux, Bailey Higgins-Eaton and Giavonna Schmidt, who Augie and Lisa adopted at eifht months old; great grandchildren, Greyson, Kai and Myla; mother-in-law, Pat Thompson; brothers and sisters in law, Greg (Heidi) Thompson, Lorinda (Paul) Goewey and Susan (Gary) Sorenson; and nieces, nephew, other relatives and friends. Augie was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Sunshine Schmidt; brother, David Schmidt; and brothers-in-law, Richard Dunlap, Randal Dunlap and Peter Thompson; mother of August IV and Heather, Alice (nee Magnuson) Schmidt.
Services celebrating Augie’s life will be held in Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home on Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026 at 11:30 a.m. Visitation will be in the funeral home on Wednesday from 10 a.m. until the time of service.
For online condolences, please visit www.draeger-langendorf.com.