Richard Paul Smith

Richard Paul “Smoky” Smith, 92, of Elkhart, passed away Tuesday Aug. 11, 2015 at Hospice House of Elkhart.
He was born April 16, 1923 in Winter, WI to Curtis and Etta Faye (Gordan) Smith.
On Oct. 7, 1942 in Daleville, IN he married Ruby J. Middleton who preceded him in death on Jan. 3, 1972. Surviving are his son, Gary P. (Dianne) Smith of Edwardsburg, MI and a daughter, Judy (Ray) Freed of Bristol, IN, 4 grandchildren, Neal (Laura) Smith and Regina (Jason) Christ both of Surprise, AZ., Matthew (Meredith Warner) Freed of Phoenix, AZ and Megan (Johnathan) Gutierrez of Elkhart and 9 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by all of his 6 siblings.

Paul was a graduate of John Adams High School and served in the Army Air Corps in WWII in the Pacific Theater. After the war he worked for Studebaker as a painter, then at Bendix Corp. as a security guard retiring after 30 years. He and Ruby also owned Paul’s Pizza Parlor in Edwardsburg from 1962 to 1968.
He enjoyed photography and had his own studio as a hobby. He liked watching sports and was a Chicago Bears and Cubs fan.

Visitation will be 5 to 8pm Thursday Aug. 13 at Stemm-Lawson-Peterson Funeral Home, Elkhart. He will be laid to rest next to Ruby on Friday at St. Joseph Valley Memorial Park, Granger.

I lieu of flowers memorials for Paul may be made to Riley Children’s Hospital or Center for Hospice Care. Thanks to all his wonderful caregivers at Eastlake Terrace for the past 2 years.
Online condolences may be made at www.stemmlawsonpeterson.com