IN LOVING MEMORY OF
Richard A.
Smoker
February 23, 2017
Obituary
ELKHART - Richard Albert Smoker, 71, of Elkhart, passed away Thursday, February 23, 2017 at South Bend Memorial Hospital from injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident. Richard was born on September 4, 1945 in Sturgis, Mich. to the late Floyd E. and Lucille K. (Kibloski) Smoker. He married the former Phyllis Ann Detwiler on December 20, 1969 at St Vincent dePaul Catholic Church in Elkhart.
Surviving is his loving wife of 47 years, Phyllis A.; son Bradley M. Smoker of Elkhart; daughters, Jennifer L. (Kenneth) Alexander of Westfield and Erin M. Smoker of Elkhart; three grandchildren, Andrew S. Duffin, Katelynn A. Alexander and Conner K. Alexander; sister Shirley A. Smoker and a brother Robert E. (Charlotte) Smoker, both of Elkhart.
Richard worked as an insurance agent and broker, representing many insurance companies in the area for over 46 years. In 1989, he became a RHU (Registered Health Underwriter). Richard was a 1969 graduate of the Indiana College of Mortuary Science in Indianapolis, and formerly worked at White Funeral Home in Elkhart. He was also a 1965 graduate of Elkhart High School. Richard was a firm believer in fitness and was an avid runner and bicyclist. He participated in the Chicago Marathon, the Terre Haute Marathon, many of the Elkhart Great Races, Bristolthons, and the Century Ride (100 mile bicycle ride). Richard was a former member of the Elkhart Y.M.C.A Run Club. He was also a diehard baseball fanatic. Cheering for his beloved Detroit Tigers as a youth and the Chicago Cubs as an adult. "Go Cubs Go!" Richard took great pride in his family and Polish-American heritage. He never missed his children's sports contests and/or any of their extra-curricular activities. Richard was a devout catholic and member of St. Mary of the Annunciation Catholic Church in Bristol. He served as a former school board member of St. Vincent dePaul Catholic School. Richard proudly served in the Army National Guard (1966-1971).
Visitation for Richard will be 4:00-7:00p.m. Thursday, March 2nd, at St. Mary of the Annunciation Catholic Church, 411 W. Vistula St. in Bristol. With a parish rosary at 7:00 p.m. Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. with visitation 1 hour prior on Friday, March 3rd, at St. Mary's. Reverend Robert Van Kempen will officiate. In honoring Richard's wishes, cremation will follow the mass with inurnment at a later date in St. Vincent Cemetery, Elkhart. The family kindly request memorial donations in Richard's name to: St. Mary of the Annunciation Catholic Church; Angels of ADEC, PO Box 398, Bristol, IN 46507 or Pet Refuge, 4626 S. Burnett Dr., South Bend, IN 46614. Billings Funeral Home, 812 Baldwin Street is honored to assist Richard's family with his arrangements. To send condolences to the family, please visit www.billingsfuneralhome.com.
Surviving is his loving wife of 47 years, Phyllis A.; son Bradley M. Smoker of Elkhart; daughters, Jennifer L. (Kenneth) Alexander of Westfield and Erin M. Smoker of Elkhart; three grandchildren, Andrew S. Duffin, Katelynn A. Alexander and Conner K. Alexander; sister Shirley A. Smoker and a brother Robert E. (Charlotte) Smoker, both of Elkhart.
Richard worked as an insurance agent and broker, representing many insurance companies in the area for over 46 years. In 1989, he became a RHU (Registered Health Underwriter). Richard was a 1969 graduate of the Indiana College of Mortuary Science in Indianapolis, and formerly worked at White Funeral Home in Elkhart. He was also a 1965 graduate of Elkhart High School. Richard was a firm believer in fitness and was an avid runner and bicyclist. He participated in the Chicago Marathon, the Terre Haute Marathon, many of the Elkhart Great Races, Bristolthons, and the Century Ride (100 mile bicycle ride). Richard was a former member of the Elkhart Y.M.C.A Run Club. He was also a diehard baseball fanatic. Cheering for his beloved Detroit Tigers as a youth and the Chicago Cubs as an adult. "Go Cubs Go!" Richard took great pride in his family and Polish-American heritage. He never missed his children's sports contests and/or any of their extra-curricular activities. Richard was a devout catholic and member of St. Mary of the Annunciation Catholic Church in Bristol. He served as a former school board member of St. Vincent dePaul Catholic School. Richard proudly served in the Army National Guard (1966-1971).
Visitation for Richard will be 4:00-7:00p.m. Thursday, March 2nd, at St. Mary of the Annunciation Catholic Church, 411 W. Vistula St. in Bristol. With a parish rosary at 7:00 p.m. Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. with visitation 1 hour prior on Friday, March 3rd, at St. Mary's. Reverend Robert Van Kempen will officiate. In honoring Richard's wishes, cremation will follow the mass with inurnment at a later date in St. Vincent Cemetery, Elkhart. The family kindly request memorial donations in Richard's name to: St. Mary of the Annunciation Catholic Church; Angels of ADEC, PO Box 398, Bristol, IN 46507 or Pet Refuge, 4626 S. Burnett Dr., South Bend, IN 46614. Billings Funeral Home, 812 Baldwin Street is honored to assist Richard's family with his arrangements. To send condolences to the family, please visit www.billingsfuneralhome.com.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Richard A. Smoker, please visit our flower store.
Services
Visitation
March
2
St. Mary of the Annunciation Catholic Church
4:00 - 7:00 pm
Visitation
March
3
St. Mary of the Annunciation Catholic Church
10:00 - 11:00 am
Mass Of Christian Burial
March
3
St. Mary of the Annunciation Catholic Church
Starts at 11:00 am