Bernard William Schmitt

Bernard William Schmitt (August 17, 1928 – August 16, 2011) was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church who served as Bishop of Wheeling-Charleston from March 29, 1989 to December 9, 2004.

Born in Wheeling, West Virginia, Schmitt was ordained to the priesthood on May 28, 1955 for the then Diocese of Wheeling. On May 27, 1988, he was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston and was consecrated on August 1 of the same year with the titular see of Walla Walla. Less than one year later, on March 29, 1989, Bishop Schmitt was appointed Bishop of the diocese. His resignation on having reached the age of 75 was accepted by Pope John Paul II on December 9, 2004.

Bishop Schmitt died August 16, 2011 at Wheeling Hospital, a Catholic hospital owned by the Diocese. He was 82 years old. He would have been 83 years old the next day. The chief celebrant and homilist at the funeral was his successor, Bishop Michael Bransfield.