SCHOEDEL AWARD
Each year the Manistee Recreation Association (MRA) presents the Charles E. Schoedel Outstanding Service Award to an individual and an organization. These awards represent commitment and dedication to recreation in Manistee County. This award was established in 1981 for the late Charles E. Schoedel in gratitude for his long-term service to the MRA. Mr. Schoedel served on the MRA Board for over thirty years and had a great impact on the development of the MRA as a strong, leisure service agency.
2025 Individual
Recipient:
Mitch Deisch
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Mitch Deisch’s career reflects steady leadership and a deep commitment to community. A graduate of Central Michigan University, he spent more than 30 years in public administration, including 14 years as City Manager for Manistee and six years as Benzie County Administrator.
His impact on youth recreation is especially evident through more than two decades of service on the MRA Board, from 2001 to 2025, where he helped guide the organization’s long-term stability and hire key leadership. In 2022, he also served as Interim MRA Director during a critical transition.
Mitch has supported youth directly as a soccer coach and referee and through Rotary humanitarian missions, chaperoning more than 100 high school students on service trips to the Dominican Republic. His leadership and mentorship have strengthened opportunities for young people throughout the region.
2025 Individual
Recipient:
David C. Smeltzer
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David C. Smeltzer has dedicated decades to supporting youth through athletics, mentorship, and volunteer service. With over 15 years as a basketball official and 12 years as a baseball and softball umpire, he has been a steady presence on local courts and fields, modeling fairness and sportsmanship for generations of young athletes.
For the past five years, Dave has assisted the MRA in assigning officials for youth sports, helping ensure games run smoothly. Through the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) Legacy Officiating Program, he has recruited and mentored 30–40 high school students across Manistee County, many of whom continued officiating beyond graduation.
A graduate of Alma College, Dave joined his family’s multigenerational farm and has remained active in civic life. Through decades of volunteerism and mentorship, he has helped countless young people grow not only as athletes, but as individuals.
The Manistee Recreation Association congratulates Mitch Deisch and David C. Smeltzer as the 2025 recipients of the Charles E. Schoedel Outstanding Service Award and thanks them for their enduring commitment to youth, recreation, and community.
Previous Recipients
Organization
1981 Martin Marietta Dave Petersen
1982 Kiwanis
1983 Manistee BD. Of ED
Manistee Jaycees
1984 VFW Walsh Post 4499
1985 Manistee Salvation Army
1986 Manistee Elks
1987 Rotary
1988 Kieszkowski Farms
1989 4-H
1990 Seng’s
1991 Alternatives For Area Youth
1992 Manistee County Foundation
1993 Manistee County Jr. High Football
1994 Brethren FHA
1995 Manistee News Advocate
1996 Manistee Soccer Club
1997 Manistee Clan
Muzzleloaders Club
1998 Morton International
1999 Cops For Kids
2000 Shell Western E & P
2001 Intermediate School District
Shore Line Academy
2002 City of Manistee
2003 Lutz Family Farm
2004 Sunrise Rotary
Evening Rotary
2005 Third Coast
2006 Manistee Catholic Central
Jerry Lewis Photographers
2007 Manistee Kiwanis
2008 Sports Ink
2009 Lance’s Irrigation
2010 Manistee County Little League
2011 Onekama Consolidated Schools
2012 Filer Township
2013 Doug Schlaff Youth Fund
2014 TES Filer City Recycle Committee
2015 MS Creative Services
2016 Linke’s Body Shop
2017 Martin Marietta
2018 Century 21
2019 Water’s Edge
2022 City of Manistee – DPW/Parks Dept.
2023 Northlake Mechanical
2024 Fab-Lite
Individual
1981 Dave Petersen
1982 John Ellen
1983 Harry Nowak
1984 George Eble
1985 Charlotte Hughes
1986 Dorothy Lundbom
1987 Pete Nezki
Richard Seemuth
1988 Ken Grabowski
1989 Ray Franz
1990 Hilda Edmondson
1991 Richard Guillen
1992 Art Anderson
1993 Louree Samenski
1994 ED Haik
1995 Gini Pelton
1996 Tim Bromley
1997 John Rozga
1998 Juanita LaFeir
1999 Jim and Melinda Kieszkowski
2000 Bob Fenstermacher
2001 Homer Ramsdell
2002 Fred McDonald
2003 Ed Leino-Jones
2004 Kathy Fenstermacher
2005 Mike DeVoe
2006 Paul Morrill
2007 Bill and Marty Paine
2008 Juanita LaFeir
2009 Corey Van Fleet
2010 Christa Johnson
2011 Cheryl Griffin
2012 Kathy Smith
2013 Eric Ross
2014 The Sheffield family
2015 David and Hilary Edmondson
2016 Ann Smith
2017 Jack Ball
2018 Cathy Meagher
2019 Wendy Adamski
2022 Bill Edmondson
2023 Dana Dobis
2024 Brandon Prince
2025 Mitch Dietsch & David C. Smeltzer