Earl D. Smith, 96, and Marshall County resident his whole life, passed away on Sunday, October 31, 2021, in his home.
He was born on a dairy farm in Marshall County near Plymouth to Ben and Nellie (Davenport) Smith on January 28, 1925. He was a graduate of Tyner High School and attended South Bend College of Commerce (Michiana Business College) and IUSB.
On September 8, 1945, he was united in marriage to the former Ella Stull. They enjoyed hosting numerous family celebrations, and he loved attending their grandchildren’s sporting events.
Earl farmed, worked construction, and founded and was president of Smith Farm Stores, Inc. He served on John Glenn School Board from 1962-1975, the Polk Township election board for many years and was a member of Gideons International.
He was a Past Master of the former Walkerton Masonic Lodge and a member of the North Liberty Lodge, an honorary thirty third degree Scottish Rite Mason and a member of Orak Shrine where he served many years on the Children Transport Team, transporting children to and from Shriner’s Children hospitals.
Earl enjoyed working in the garden and playing golf; and as an airplane enthusiast, piloted a Cesna 175.
As a member of Teegarden United Methodist Church, he served as Sunday School superintendent for many years, president of the Board of Trustees, and Lay Leader. More recently he attended Pine Creek Church of the Brethren.
He is survived by his loving wife, Ella, his son, Don (Lori) Smith and daughter-in-law, Diane Smith of Rensselaer, IN; his grandchildren are Kelly (Mike) Gabauer, Cassie Peck, Kevin Smith, Kimberly (Aaron) Brenneman, Kevin Allen, Andrew (Halei) Smith, Brock Smith and Madison Smith; great-grandchildren: Emmett and Sophia Wilder, Cora and Lanae Peck, Keaten Nolton, Evan and Danika Brenneman, Jared Allen and Paityn and Parker Smith as well as many nieces and nephews.
Earl was preceded in death by his parents; son James B. Smith; daughter and son-in-law Nancy and David K. Sekirka; brothers, Wayne and Ben Smith; and sisters Hope Matz, Connie Godlevski and Edith Walters.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, November 7, 2021, from 1-3 p.m. at Pine Creek Church of the Brethren, 25075 Stanton Road, Walkerton. A Masonic Ritual will be performed at 3 p.m. followed by funeral services.
Burial will be in the Morris Cemetery, Plymouth.
Memorial contributions can be made to Pine Creek Church of the Brethren, 25075 Stanton Road, North Liberty, IN 46554 or Shriners Hospitals for Children 3848 Frontage Road, Michigan City, IN 46360.
Ren and Beverly Van Gilder says
We are so very sorry, for the loss, of your precious loved one. Please know we are thinking of you.
Most sincerely,
Ren and Beverly Van Gilder
Kevin and Melodie Overmyer says
So sorry for your loss. He was a wonderful man who obviously made a great impact on his family, and community. His caring heart is evident by the many services he was involved in over the years. God bless you all. Melodie and Kevin
DEBBIE BALTES says
It has been my absolute honor to have worked for this man for the past 42 years. He was a wonderful employer and will be sadly missed but forever in my heart.
Dennis & Francie Beville says
Smith family please accept our expression of sympathy in the passing of Earl, a true gentleman.
Jeanette (Chase) Frick says
Earl will be missed so much as my parents, Neil & Dorothy Chase, enjoyed many years of friend gatherings with Earl & Ella at Lake Maxincukee or Sebring, FL. My thoughts and prayers are with Ella and the entire Smith family.
Christine Crafton says
So sorry for your loss he sounds like a true giver of time and Love, May God Bless and keep his family in this time of grieving, prayers for his beautiful wife.
Gloria says
Diane and family my deepest sympathy for the passing of Mr. Smith. Prayers for all.
Susan moreno says
God bless your family at the loss of this remarkable man.
Jon and Joan Fricker says
Earl was a great man and a wonderful member of the community. He will be missed. Prayers for your family.
Jon and Joan Salyer Fricker
Fort Myers Florida
Gail Kaser says
So sorry for your loss Ella and family always enjoyed talking to Eral on his Dailey walking excursions . He was a great friend and neibor
Jill Savage says
Dear Ella and Smith family,
I am saddened to learn of Earl’s passing. His was a life well lived with family and friends and giving back to the community. I have fond memories of growing up as your neighbor, and being part of church and school activities with your family. It warmed my heart to see Earl & Ella again in 2016 when they braved the winter weather to pay respects at my mom’s funeral.
Jill (Carbiener) Savage
Concord, NH
Cindy Milner says
Earl was such an Honorable Man, truly kind and gentle in spirit. He and Ella made such a great couple! Sadly we will be out of town that day and unable to attend. I have so many good memories of a Lifetime of Service to his community.
Harold & Leslie Kaiser says
We are so very sorry of the loss Earl. He had lived a wonderful life, the community and family will miss him deeply.
Marla Schroeder says
May God grant you peace and surround your family in love during your time of loss.
DIANE M MCGROGAN says
Uncle Earl was the best!
I will always have the fondest memories of gatherings on the farm as kids.
Earl let us play with the animals and in the barn. He set up a swing in the haylofts and we would spend hours with our cousins swinging and jumping onto the hay!
He also taught us how to put pennies on the train tracks out front of the house and run and fetch them after the train went blaring by! As a matter of fact , during a recent visit to see Earl and Ella, Donny and Lori brought dinner over and Donny, my husband Ron and I went out to the tracks and tried our luck! I have all my flattened pennies from the years in a little keepsake box! It’s a wonder we made it to adulthood playing on the train tracks but he sure was the greatest, kindest uncle a kid could have. Earl was a caring man with integrity who not only gave to his family, but his friends, his employees and most of all his community.
He will forever be missed but always in our hearts.
My sincerest condolence’s to Aunt Ella, Donny and families.
Sincerely, Diane McGrogan