ELKHART -- Jerry G. Smith Jr., 85, of Bower Street, died at 8:06 p.m. Thursday (July 3, 2008) at Elkhart General Hospital.

He was born Sept. 3, 1922, in Lafayette to Jerry G. and Adeline (Runnels) Smith Sr. On April 29, 1950, he married Irene M. Gibbons in Ann Arbor, Mich.

She survives along with two sons, Jerry G. (Wendy) Smith III and Jeff T. (Janet Long) Smith, both of Elkhart; one daughter, Pamalia (James) Tallman of Bowling Green, Ky.; one brother, Rex Smith of Bowling Green; one sister, Barbara Douglas of Bowling Green; seven grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by one daughter, Mary Shawn Smith; and one sister, Juanita Nesbitt.

Mr. Smith was a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II and attended Western Kentucky University. He operated the Corral miniature golf course and drive-in in Elkhart with his brother, Rex, and worked in sales for the Thunander Corp, for more than 15 years.

Cremation will take place. Friends may call from 5 p.m. until the funeral service at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Billings Funeral Home, 812 Baldwin St., Elkhart. The Rev. Philip DeVolder will officiate. Burial will be in Oak Ridge Cemetery, Goshen, at a later date.

Memorials may be given to the American Diabetes Association.