Merl Eugene Smith ¹

  General Notes:

Merl E. Smith, age 92 - a lifelong resident of Elwood, died peacefully on Friday, June 20, 2014 at Community Parkview Care Center in Elwood after an extended illness. He was born November 6, 1921 in Elwood, the son of Fred and Pansy (VanBriggle) Smith. Merl worked for Indiana & Michigan Power Company for more than 45 years and held various positions and retired as an Administrative Assistant. He was a 1940 graduate of Elwood High School and was proud to have played on the first Elwood basketball team to win the CIC Sectional Championship in 1940. He later served his country in the U.S. Army during WWII. Merl married Willetta M. "Birdie" Locke on April 23, 1948, and they shared 66 wonderful years together. Merl was a member of the First Baptist Church in Elwood, and had also attended East Main Street Christian Church for many years. Merl was a member of the Quincy Masonic Lodge, the Order of Eastern Star, life member of the American Legion and the Elwood Elks Lodge, and a former member of the Elwood Country Club. Merl enjoyed playing golf and especially enjoyed working in his yard. He was very active in the Elwood community; and enjoyed watching sports and spending time with friends.

Merl's family includes his wife of more than 66 years, Willetta M. "Birdie" Smith of Elwood; 3 God-Children, Brian (wife Selita) Reichart and family of Frankton, Gary (wife Michelle) Reichart and family of Frankton, and Tina Anderson and family of Alexandria, 2 sisters-in-law, Mary Smith of Anderson and Joyce Robbins of Florida; niece, Tonya (husband Dan) Losey and family of Florida; 2 nephews, Mike McQuinn and family of CA and Eric (wife Brandy) Smith and family of CO; and special friends Dwayne Cosby, Nancy Johns, Patsy Baker, Becky Holman, and Jeanie Jones. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Dale Smith; and sister, Marjory McQuinn.

A funeral service celebrating Merl's life will be conducted at 11:00 AM on Monday, June 23, 2014 at Copher-Fesler-May Funeral Home in Elwood with Rev. Roger Gardner of East Main Street Christian Church and Sister Rosie Coughlin officiating. Entombment will follow in the Elwood City Cemetery Mausoleum with Military Honors conducted by the U.S. Military and the Elwood V.F.W. Honor Guard teams. Visitation for family and friends will be held from 2 to 5 PM on Sunday, June 22, 2014 at Copher-Fesler-May Funeral Home.

Merl married Willetta M. Locke, daughter of Austin Cletus Locke and Bertha Irene Jones, on 23 Apr 1948. (Willetta M. Locke was buried in Elwood Cemetery, Elwood, Madison County, Indiana, USA.)