James R. Smith
James R. Smith, 89, of Warsaw, Ind., passed away at 10:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 5, 2013, at Health Park Lee Memorial Hospital, Fort Myers, Fla.
On Aug. 14, 1923, he was born in Hobart, Ind., to Rex E. and Jennie (Huffer) Smith. He married Mary Lou Eherenman on June 22, 1947, in Warsaw.
A lifetime resident of Warsaw, James honorably served our country in the U.S. Army during World War II from 1943 – 1945 in the European Theater. He served as a Private with Troop A 92nd Recon Cavalry Squad, receiving a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star.
James worked as shop supervisor for Union Tool Company for 36 years. He was a member of Warsaw Community Church and was a lifetime member of American Legion Post #49 and V.F.W. Post #1126, Warsaw. He was also a member of Disabled American Veterans.
He is survived by his wife: Mary Lou Smith, Warsaw; three daughters: Sandra (Bill) Volk, Urbana, Ill.; Sharon Carey, Warsaw; and Susan (Rick) Weed, Warsaw; 11 grandchildren: Anne (Brook) Johnson, Adam (Emily) Volk, Nathan (Torrie) Carey, Amy (Jed) Trefren, J.D. (Callie) Carey, Caleb Carey, Mark Carey, Amanda (Daniel) Moore, Angie (Brandon) Schmitt, Sarah (Scott) Stinson, Ashley (Preston) Singleton and 18 great-grandchildren.
James was preceded in death by three grandchildren: Nicholas, Levi and Alissa Carey; and sisters: Marybelle Funnell, Frances Blackford and Audrey Decker.
Visitation hours will be from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, March 8, at McHatton-Sadler Funeral Chapel, Warsaw. A funeral service will be held at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, March 9, with Pastor Bryan Koorey, Pastor Scott Turskey, Pastor Jeff Pfeifer and Reverend Paul Tinkel officiating. Burial will be at Oakwood Cemetery, Warsaw, with military honors by American Legion Post #49 and VFW Post #1126, Warsaw.
Memorial contributions may be made to Allowing Christ to Shine (ACTS), P.O. Box 841, Warsaw, IN 46581 or The Wounded Warriors Project.