LIVING HISTORY
Schlitt family members hold a Florida State University vs. University of Florida traditional Thanksgiving weekend gathering at Jimmy Schlitt’s home in
McAnsh Park, where neighbors join in as well.
where even the neighbors show up.
Ed and his wife Marguerite Schlitt started Ed Schlitt
Agency, which provided real estate and insurance services.
Ed’s brothers Louis and Bob later joined them. They eventually
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separated the growing business, with Ed keeping the
real estate and Louis and Bob focusing on insurance services.
Now Schlitt Services, this company is run by Louis’ and Bob
Sr.’s sons, Jeff and Bob Jr.
Bob Sr. and his wife JoAnn had nine children yet took in
more than 400 foster kids for temporary emergency housing
or longer. At first they took in a neighbor’s child in need, and
then five more followed. “Other kids brought home stray
dogs and cats but ours brought kids whose parents were not
there for them,” explains JoAnn.
Eventually a social worker “drafted” them officially for the
State of Florida because no one else was willing to take in teens.
Now, many of those foster kids come to the reunions each
year bringing their own families, and enjoy a Christmas trip
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An article in the Press Journal article highlighted the opening the Sunshine
Center for handicapped children, which was founded by Florence Schlitt
and Bill Graves.
Dolores, Jean and Florine Schlitt, join their brothers Ed, Bob, John, Louis
and Frank in front of St. Helen’s Shrine.
Family members Alma Schlitt Wodtke, Anna Boland Schlitt, Christine
Schlitt Baumker, Alphonse Schlitt, Louis Schlitt, Cornelious Schlitt, Leo
Schlitt and John J. Schlitt Sr. pose for a family photo.