He was born Dec. 5, 1927, in Warsaw, Ind., to Henry and Fleety (Pratt) Smith. He married Darlene Mae Graber on Dec. 2, 1949, in Elkhart, Ind. She died June 15, 1996, in South Bend, Ind.

He is survived by two daughters, Celia (Red) Hunter of Kewanna, Ind., and Janice (Tom) Leighton of Edwardsburg; two sons, Dennis (Barbara) Smith of Elkhart and Randy (Linda) Smith of Union; 18 grandchildren; 32 great-grandchildren; 11 great-great-grandchildren; three sisters, June Moore of Elkhart, Gen Weirick of Bristol, Ind., and Neva (Dale) Howard of Union; and two brothers, Donald Smith and Ray (Barb) Smith, both of Elkhart.

He was preceded in death by one son, Jimmy Smith; and two brothers, Ralph and Henry Smith.

Friends may call from 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday at Billings Funeral Home, 812 Baldwin St., Elkhart. The funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Monday at the funeral home with the Rev. Keith McFarren of Faith United Methodist of South Bend officiating. Burial with military honors by DAV Chapter 19 will follow in Rice Cemetery in Elkhart.

Mr. Smith worked at the Uniroyal Corp. in Mishawaka as a tow motor driver for more than 42 years. After he retired, he worked part-time at Hawk Enterprises. He was a U.S. Air Force veteran and a member of the Elkhart Moose Lodge 599. He enjoyed gardening, playing pinochle and cheering on Notre Dame.

Memorials may be given to Hospice at Home Inc., 4025 Health Park Lane, St. Joseph, MI 49085. Visit www.billingsfuneralhome.com to send online condolences