Melvin H. Smith, Sr.

Melvin H. Smith, Sr., 85, of Elkhart, died September 12, 2010 at 10:00 am at Valley View Healthcare Center. He was born July 4, 1925 in Wabash to Howard E. and Laura Bessie Mae (Young) Smith. He married Ardis I. Rhoads in Laketon, IN on March 5, 1946.

She survives along with 6 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and daughter-in-law Patricia Smith of Elkhart. He was preceded in death by his son Melvin H. Smith, Jr.; daughter Marla Samuels; 3 brothers George, Elvin and Weldon, and sister Oma Edwina Price.

He was a truck driver for 38 ½ years for Days Transfer, Brady Motor Freight and Smith Transfer. He was a member of First Baptist Church, Elkhart.

Visitation will be Wednesday from 6 to 8 pm at Stemm-Lawson-Peterson Funeral Home, at Cobblestone Crossing, Elkhart. Funeral services will be held Thursday at 2:00 pm at First Baptist Church. Rev. John Blodgett will officiate. Burial will follow in Little Pine Cemetery, Goshen.

Memorials may be given to First Baptist Church, Elkhart. Visit www.stemmlawsonpeterson.com to sign an online guestbook.