July 27, 1926 - Jan. 31, 2009

ELKHART -- Robert E. Smith Jr., 82, of 1900 Jeanwood Drive, died at 12:45 a.m. Saturday (Jan. 31, 2009) in Eastlake Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.

He was born July 27, 1926, in Muncie to Robert E. Sr. and Bessie (Bolin) Smith.

Mr. Smith is survived by one son, Robert E. (Chansouk) Smith III of Elkhart; three daughters, Judy (David) Dobbins of Las Vegas, Bonnie (Haskell) Hale of Edna, Mich., and Vicky (Greg) Humphrey of Weidman, Mich.; seven grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; four sisters, Rosemary, Delores, Shirley and Wanda; and two brothers, Fred and Richard. One brother, Leo, preceded him in death.

Mr. Smith was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II, serving two years in the Philippines with the First Cavalry Division. He worked at Whirlpool Corp., Benton Harbor, Mich., for more than 30 years before retiring in the mid-1980s. He was an avid golfer.

Cremation will take place. A memorial service will be at a later date. Burial will be in North Shore Memorial Gardens, Benton Harbor.

Billings Funeral Home, 812 Baldwin St., Elkhart, is assisting with arrangements.

Memorials may be given to the U.S. Veterans Administration, 575 N. Pennsylvania St., Indianapolis, IN 46204. Visit www.billingsfuneralhome.com to send online condolences