Ervin “Erv” Schmude, 90, of Oshkosh, passed away peacefully at Aurora Hospital on June 2, 2026, surrounded by his wife and children. Erv was born in Oshkosh on March 9, 1936, to Roy and June (Eckstein) Schmude.

He met the love of his life, Janet “Jan” Ochsner in Lincoln, NE and they eloped to Council Bluffs, IA on November 22, 1958. Together they raised two daughters and one son, first in Oshkosh and then in Winneconne, WI. Erv was a long-term member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Winneconne.

Erv was a glazier with PPG Industries, TC Esser Co., and Jackson Glass Inc. His employment with Jackson Glass covered 30 years until his retirement in 1971. Erv’s employers at Jackson Glass were like a second family to him.

Erv raced stock cars for many years beginning in Lincoln, NE, and then at tracks in the Fox Valley area. He ended his racing career in 1975 after winning the mid-season championship the year before at the Oshkosh racetrack. In 2011, Erv was inducted into the “Walk of Fame” at the Oshkosh SpeedZone Raceway.

In retirement, Erv and Jan enjoyed attending local races, displaying their 1947 Mercury Coupe at car shows and parades, selling at flea markets and toy shows, polka dancing, lunching with friends and supporting their grandchildren at many sporting events. Erv was a gifted woodworker and spent many hours building bird, butterfly and doll houses. He also never missed watching a NASCAR race, especially when his favorite driver, Dale Earnhardt was racing.

Erv was a devoted fan of the Green Bay Packers, Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks, along with the Wisconsin Badgers. His passion for sports led him to coach peewee baseball and start a junior softball league, both in Winneconne. He enjoyed coaching and the times spent with his son.

He is survived by his loving family, Wife, Jan; daughters, Candy (Warren) Luce and Cheri Reese; son, AJ (Deanna) Schmude; grandchildren, Becky Mueller, Jenny (Jeremy) Case, Chrissy Reese, Colby and Grayson Schmude; and great-grandchildren, Gibson, Frehley, Marshall Mueller and John Case. As well as other relatives and friends.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM, on June 11, 2026, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church (8 S 4th St, Winneconne, WI 54986). The visitation will be held from 10:00 AM until 11:00 AM.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial for Erv has been established with St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Winneconne.

The family would like to thank the caregivers at Bella Vista for the kindness and compassion shown to Erv during the last year of his life.