John Edward Schmeiser, former owner of a Baltimore printing brokerage firm, died Friday of Alzheimer's disease at Fairhaven retirement community in Sykesville. The former Roland Park resident was 91.

Born in Baltimore and raised on Gittings Avenue, Mr. Schmeiser was a 1930 graduate of Polytechnic Institute. After working a year to earn tuition money, he enrolled at the Johns Hopkins University and earned a bachelor's degree in engineering in 1935. He was hired that year as production supervisor at Hamilton Watch Co. in Lancaster, Pa.

Having been a part of the ROTC program at Hopkins, Mr. Schmeiser was called to active duty in 1941. He served at Fort Belvoir, Va., teaching engineering and working as assistant executive officer in the Army's engineering school. He attained the rank of lieutenant colonel.

Returning to Baltimore after World War II, he became assistant to the president of Buck Glass Co., and later executive vice president and a director of Murray Corp. in Towson.

Mr. Schmeiser purchased J.C. O'Donovan Co. in 1967. He ran the printing brokerage firm until selling it and retiring in 1990.

He was married in 1936 to Margaret Smith, who died this year.

Mr. Schmeiser was a Junior Achievement volunteer and active in the Greater Towson Chamber of Commerce. A competitive badminton and tennis player, he was a former director of the Maryland Badminton Association. He also had been a member of the Roland Park Civic League, a former president of the Homeland Racquet Club and a member of L'Hirondelle Club.

Another avocation was the piano, which he learned to play to celebrate his 40th birthday.

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday at Episcopal Church of the Redeemer, 5603 N. Charles St.

Mr. Schmeiser is survived by three daughters, Bettylee S. Cornell of Vero Beach, Fla., Lyn S. Cook of Baltimore and Peg S. Kesmodel Markowski of Ponte Vedra, Fla.; six grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.