Karen Schmelter

Karen Schmelter, 81, of Beaumont, died Sunday, August 10, 2025. She was born on June 25, 1944, in Washington, D.C., to Irwin and Emily Schmelter. Karen spent the first forty-eight years of her life in Hobart, Indiana, where she worked in banking until she owned a pizza parlor. She moved to Texas in 1992. She worked for Community and Texas State Bank till her retirement.

Karen was preceded in death by her father, Irwin Schmelter; mother, Emily Thiel Schmelter; son, Marvin Whitten; brother, Robert “Bob” Schmelter, and his wife, Charlene; nephew, Joey Schmelter; and great-nephew, Paul Chanley.

Karen is survived by her sister, Sandy Chanley and her husband, Bill, and their children, Kim and Mark Chanley, all of Beaumont; son, Neal Fischer and his wife, Patrica; great-nephew, Alan Chanley and his wife, Arianna, of Beaumont; great-niece, Paige Chanley of Beaumont; and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews who loved her and will miss her greatly.

Cremation arrangements for Ms. Schmelter were handled through Broussard’s Crematorium under the direction of Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont.