“I was fortunate to be able to spend 20.5 years as a pilot in the USAF.
I started my career as an Aviation Cadet with Pilot Training Class 58- OP in March 1957. For reasons known only to The USAF I was reassigned to class 59-A.
In July 1958 I graduated with my wings and commission. I attended Primary Flight Training at Spence AB, Moultrie, GA flying the T-34 and T-28. I attended Basic Flight Training in the T-33 at Greenville AFB, MS where I graduated.
After attending Basic Instructor School in the T-33 at Craig, AFB, AL, I returned to Greenville as an instructor in the T-33. When Greenville closed I was reassigned to Moody AFB, GA where I flew T-33 targets for the F-86D Interceptor School until attending Primary Instructor Training in the T-37. I stayed with the T-37 until 1962 when I transitioned to the T-28 and instructed Foreign Students in the T-28.
I transferred to Randolph AFB, TX, still flying the T-28. While there I received and assignment to the F-100. I flew the F-100F and F-100C at Luke AFB, AZ until receiving an assignment to RAF Lakenheath, in the UK flying the F-100F and D with the 494th TFS. I went from the UK to Tuy Hoa RVN where I flew with the 308th TFS and I flew 235 combat missions in the F-100.
I returned to Keesler AFB, MS to again fly the T-28A and T-28B, once more with foreign students. When the T-28 was phased out, I was transferred to Webb AFB, TX to once again instruct foreign students in the T-37 until my retirement in 1977.
Following my retirement from the USAF continued to fly as a corporate pilot where I flew the King Air 90, 200 and 300. The Citation II, Lear 25, 32, 35, 55 and 60 until retiring once again in 2005 at age 68! I still fly my 1947 Ercoupe whenever I can!
I have well over 11,000 hours of flying time and still counting! My flying time is about equally divide between military and civilian.”
Donald L. Schmenk, Maj USAF, Ret., “Headed West” on February 26, 2022.
Major Donald Louis Schmenk USAF Ret, 84, of Ottawa died 8:10 a.m., Saturday, February 26, 2022, at The Meadows of Ottawa. He was born July 3, 1937, in Lima to the late Everett A. and Margaret (Brinkman) Schmenk. On June 9, 1962, he married Mary Jane Heringhaus and she passed on November 19, 2005. Then on March 29, 2008, he married Mary Ellen (Deters) Wanamaker and she survives in Ottawa.
Other survivors include three children: Kelly (Ted) Ellerbrock of Glandorf, Eric (Barb) Schmenk of Plain City and Kristen (Dave) Kreienkamp of Wayne; a grandson Drew (Jessica) Ellerbrock of Columbus; four step-children: Christine (Charlie) Carruthers and Scott Wanamaker both of Findlay, Lynn (John) Karhoff of St. Louis, MO and Ann (John) Buescher of Ottawa; seven step grandchildren: Cassie Suever, Lauren Kuhlman, Jeremy Conn, Justin Conn, Jordon Conn, Jackie Castiglioni and Taylor Meyer; three step great-grandchildren: Oliver and Gavin Suever and Evie Castiglioni; a sister, Judith McCurdy; and a brother, Tom (Linda) Schmenk.
He was also preceded in death by a brother, Robert C. (Sue) Schmenk; a sister, Rose Ann (Ken) Giesken; and a brother-in-law, Gary McCurdy.
Don graduated from SPPS, Ottawa, class of 1955. He attended the University of Detroit and OSU. He then enlisted in the USAF as an Aviation Cadet 59A in March 1957. He went through pilot training in Texas, Georgia and Mississippi graduating as a Distinguished Graduate with Class 59A in July of 1958 where he received his commission as a Second Lt and USAF Pilot Wings.
Don then served as an instructor pilot in Mississippi, Georgia and Texas from January 1966 until August 1970. He flew the F-100 in Europe and Southeast Asia completing 235 combat missions, earning the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) and 12 Air Medals among other awards and decorations. One aircraft that he flew 14 combat missions in (F-100F #837) is on display in the National Museum of the USAF in Dayton, OH.
Don retired in 1977 as a Command Pilot and flew as a corporate pilot until age 68. He owned and flew his 1946 Ercoupe until recently.
Don was an Eagle Scout with 2 palms, a member Quiet Birdmen (QB), Toledo Hanger and the Super Sabre Society (SSS) and an avid model builder.
Private services will be held at LOVE FUNERAL HOME, Ottawa. Burial will be in Sts. Peter and Paul Cemetery, Ottawa with military rites.
Memorial donations may be made to the National Museum of the US Air Force at 1100 Spaatz St, Dayton, OH 45431, https://www.afmuseum.com/donations or The Gardner-McMaster Parkinson Center Ruppert Health Center 3125 Transverse DriveToledo, OH 43614.
Source: https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/limaohio/name/donald-schmenk-obituary?id=33322007
