Leon Eugene "Gene" Schmitz, of Winslow, died Saturday, Feb. 3, 2007, at the Olivia White Hospice in Flagstaff. He was 92.

Mr. Schmitz was born Sept. 19, 1914, in Winslow to Leon and Clara Goetzinger Schmitz. When he was growing up, most of his hometown still had dirt streets. He and his friends roamed the desert surrounding Winslow, hiked on to One-drop Spring and swam at Clear Creek. He graduated from Winslow High School in 1933 and went to work at Cake Chevrolet. Throughout his life, Mr. Schmitz was interested in all things mechanical. It is said he was Winslow's first auto mechanic.

He married Christine Baker on Jan. 10, 1935 in Flagstaff. Together they raised two children, Edward and Shirley. He hired out as a fireman with the Santa Fe Railroad on June 12, 1937, and he was promoted to locomotive engineer in 1942. He retired in 1986. The last 11 years of his railroad career was served as a locomotive engineer on the Amtrak run. He was considered one of the best engineers on the Albuquerque Division. He was a member of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and was a lifetime member of BPOE No. 536. He was an avid hunter and fisherman. He was also among a local group who boated down the Colorado River to the beginning of Lake Powell. The expedition included a hike at Rainbow Bridge.

After Christine's death in 1976, he married Donna Bell, his wife of 31 years.

Mr. Schmitz is survived by his wife Donna; son Edward (Cathy) Schmitz of San Manuel; daughter Shirley Wiley of Flagstaff; stepdaughter Sharon (Tom) Marquis of Surrey, Canada; 11 grandchildren; and a myriad of great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and sisters Ellen Schmitz and Mary Freeby.

A memorial service will be Wednesday, at 2 p.m., at Norvel Owens Mortuary, 1505 W. Third St., in Winslow. Viewing will be prior to the service, from noon to 1:30 p.m., at the mortuary.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks donations be made to Northland Hospice, P.O. Box 997, Flagstaff, AZ 86002.