By Nicole Hamilton
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Until recently, Marcia Schmidt thought she was the only one who noticed John Schmidt's smile. Now, her husband's friends are telling her its what they remember most about him.

"Oh my goodness, he was notorious for his smile," said Ms. Schmidt of Fort Thomas.

John A. "Babe" Schmidt died Friday at his Fort Thomas home of cancer. He was 82.

Raised in Newport, he graduated from Newport High School and began working as a driver and salesman for various dairies.

Around 1944, Mr. Schmidt joined the Marine Corps to serve in World War II, where he was stationed at a base in North Carolina.

Honorably discharged in April of 1946, he returned to Northern Kentucky and resumed his work in dairies - eventually accepting a position at Meyer Dairy in Cincinnati.

He retired at the age of 64.

An accomplished athlete, Mr. Schmidt was a member of the Northern Kentucky Sports Hall of Fame, inducted for his baseball playing. He was also an avid golfer, and was a 1st Club Champion at the Campbell County Golf Course.

Mr. Schmidt was a member of the Fort Thomas Retired Men's Club, and a member of St. John's United Church of Christ in Newport.

Besides his wife, survivors include two daughters, Tamra Schmitt of Burlington, and Gayla Holmer of West Chester; a brother, Rudolph Schmidt of Lake Placid, Fla.; and six grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 9-11 a.m. Thursday at St. John's United Church of Christ, Park Avenue and Nelson Place, Newport. Service will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at the church. Burial will be in Floral Hills Memorial Gardens, Taylor Mill.

Memorials: St. John's United Church of Christ, Park Avenue and Nelson Place, Newport, KY 41071.

E-mail nhamilton@enquirer.com