Eric Lee Schmelzer, 58, of North Platte, NE, passed away on August 3, 2026, at Great Plains Hospital in North Platte. He was born March 29, 1968, in North Platte, to Dolores Ella (Staver) and Royal Kay Schmelzer.

Eric graduated from North Platte High School with the class of 1987. He entered the U.S. Navy in March of 1988 and served until March of 1991. He then moved back to North Platte and worked at Ace Hardware. In January 1996 he moved to Omaha and began his career working at Menard’s in Omaha, moving from there to Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota and then back to Lincoln where he assisted in opening several Menard’s stores. He also worked for Sears in Lincoln. Eric worked at the Nebraska State Penitentiary as a guard from 2011-2018. After this he worked for Westlake Ace Hardware in Lincoln. He returned to North Platte when his health declined. Eric was a big fan of Buick cars and had built himself a race car. Eric was an avid reader and liked Jeopardy. His family was important to him, especially his nieces.

Eric is survived by his mother Dolores, North Platte, Nebraska; his brothers, Robert Schmelzer, North Platte, Nebraska, Greg (Melissa) Schmelzer, Tecumseh, Nebraska; 3 nieces, Kerstin (Zach) Mink, Little Mountain, South Carolina, Suzanna Osborne, Omaha, Nebraska, Breanna Stephens, Omaha, Nebraska; nephew, Ben Osborne, Omaha, Nebraska; great niece, Victoria “Tori” KayElla Mink, Little Mountain, South Carolina; cousins, Elizabeth “Liz” (Roger) Broker of Maywood, Nebraska, Mary (Richard) Ristine of Cozad, Nebraska and Kevin (Maurice) Bortner of Moorefield, Nebraska, along with several other family members and friends.

He is preceded in death by his father, Royal Kay Schmelzer; his grandparents, Howard Schmelzer and Vivian Schmelzer, Ella (Staver) Brockmoller and step-grandfather, Wilhelm "Bill" Brockmoller; and his uncles, Joseph “Joey” Schmelzer and L.E. "Buster" (Twila) Bortner.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 A.M. Tuesday, August 18, 2026, at North Platte Cowboy Church, 1911 N Buffalo Bill Ave., North Platte, NE 69101. Following the service, at 12:00 P.M., inurnment will take place at Fort McPherson National Cemetery, 12004 South Spur 56a, Maxwell, NE 69151 with Full Military Honors. Pastor John Sexson will be officiating. Adams & Swanson Funeral Home is assisting the family.