Curtis Lee Smith, 43, Larwill, passed away unexpectedly at 12:24 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 29, 2016 at his home.

Survivors include his wife of 20 years, Jainele Smith; daughter, Emma Smith; father, Gary Smith; mother and stepfather, Jeannie and Mike Parker; sister, Trina McConnell; mother-in-law, Cheryl Geiger; brother-in-law, Jeff Geiger; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Julie and Donnie Haire; niece, Alicia Smith; nephews, Logan and Landon Haire; three great-nieces; and one great-nephew.

Curt was preceded in death by his grandparents, Jim and June Pequignot and Lloyd and Annabelle Smith; and father-in-law, Jerry Geiger.

Curtis Lee Smith was a devoted family man, a hard worker, and a fun-loving husband, father, son, brother and uncle. A true outdoorsman, he loved to hunt, fish and spend time in nature either camping or riding four wheelers or his Yamaha Rhino. He absolutely loved spending time with his daughter, teasing her and picking on her just the same as he did his niece and nephews. He loved everyone in his family with treated each of them with the same amount of joking and ribbing. Curt had a warm personality that lit up any room. He was the life of the party and his wonderful collection of memories will be deeply cherished by many.

The 1970s was when Americans first started celebrating the first Earth Days, Congress passed the National Environmental Policy Act followed by The Clean Air Act and the Clean Water Act. Due to the increase of gas prices, the Japanese car manufacturers with smaller engines and more fuel efficient automobiles dominated the market. Popular television shows of this decade included, M*A*S*H, Sanford and Son, The Bob Newhart Show and The Price Is Right. The movies, The Sting, and Jesus Christ Superstar aired and the radio frequently played, the Eagles, David Bowie and Led Zeppelin. During these tumultuous times, Gary Lee and Jeannie (Pequignot) Parker welcomed the arrival of their newborn son, Curtis on May 23, 1973. He was born at St Joseph Hospital in Fort Wayne and was a great brother to his older sister, Trina.

Growing up in Jefferson Township in Whitley County, he attended Jefferson Center School. As a young boy living in the country, he enjoyed hunting, fishing, exploring the woods, riding his bicycle, as well as making trails in the woods for riding four wheelers. As a teenager, he kept busy by helping on a farm and working at the Marathon gas station owned by his aunt and uncle on County Line Road and State Road 14. Later, he would advance into performing oil changes at the Grease Monkey in Fort Wayne. While a sophomore at Columbia City Joint High School, he met the love of his life, Jainele Geiger. The two of them were in the same class together and became quite smitten with one another. One of their first dates was when Jainele picked him up in her car and they went to a movie in Fort Wayne. True high school sweethearts, they couldn’t wait to share their lives together. After graduation, St. Matthew’s United Methodist Church north of Columbia City was the setting for their marriage on September 14, 1996. Together they had their beautiful daughter Emma to nurture and raise into a young woman.

A good provider, Curt was never one to sit idle. Curt was a hard worker who spent several years at Speedway Redi Mix driving concrete trucks before joining Keystone Aggregates near Big Lake. For the past nine years he has worked for Sweetheiner Trash Removal. In addition to his full time work, he worked hard at splitting wood to heat their family home. As Emma was growing up, Curt took her hunting and proudly taught her how to shoot guns. He was active in her 4-H group over the years, and supported her involvement by raising goats, cows, as well as chickens that produced the best brown eggs!

Curt loved to travel and loved his traveling companions even more. As a young family they enjoyed camping at Salamonie Reservoir, Turkey Run and Hocking Hills. They took vacations down to Gatlinburg, Tennessee, Florida, out west to visit Grand Canyon, and Pikes Peak. One memorable trip was to Las Vegas where he spoiled Janiele and Emma by taking them to their two favorite shows’, Counting Cars and Pawn Stars locations. They mostly enjoyed going four wheeling to places like Haspin Acres in Laurel, Indiana, up to Michigan, Wisconsin and West Virginia. Curt eventually traded in his four-wheeler for his Yamaha side-by-side.

He was had been a member of the Sons of the American Legion and the Coon Hunters Club. He was an avid hunter of deer, ducks, rabbit and squirrels. He loved archery and enjoyed collecting guns. When he wasn’t hunting or cutting wood, he enjoyed golfing with friends and hanging with his four legged friend and best companion, his German Shepherd, Callie. Described as loving, caring and hardworking, Curt will be deeply missed by his special friends and close family.

Visitation will be held from 2-8 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 2, at DeMoney-Grimes, a Life Story Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home with Pastor Steve Johnson from Oak Grove Church of God officiating. Burial will follow at Union Township Cemetery in Coesse. In lieu of flowers and gifts, memorials may be made towards his final expenses, I.C.O. DeMoney-Grimes.