Rex D. Smith
December 24, 2016 at 4:44 a.m.
By -
He was born Jan. 7, 1935, in South Whitley, a son of Frankie and June Kreider Smith.
His formative years were spent in South Whitley. He graduated from South Whitley High School.
A semi driver, he worked over 20 years for South Whitley Trucking, Consolidated Freight for a short time and retired from Yellow Freight.
On March 19, 1965, he married Betty Lou Coldren. They have always made their home in Warsaw.
His memberships included the Moose, North Manchester, and American Legion, Warsaw.
Surviving relatives include his wife, Betty; six children: Michael J. (spouse Pat) Olinger, Grand Rapids Mich.; Ann J. (spouse Norman) Johnson,Ashland Ohio; Jeannie M. (spouse Juan) Gonzales, Millersburg; Debra S. (spouse Rex Darley) Lancaster, Jeffrey R. (spouse Melissa) Smith and Sharon K. (spouse Dave) Peters, all of South Whitley; 12 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; and a sister, Doris Zirkelbach of Woodburn.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a great-granddaughter and a brother, Lyle Smith.
The funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday at Smith & Sons Miller Chapel, South Whitley, with visitation from noon to 2 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. The burial will be in South Whitley Cemetery.
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Preferred memorials are to Great Lakes Hospice.
Online condolences may be sent to www.smithandsonsfuneralhome.com.
He was born Jan. 7, 1935, in South Whitley, a son of Frankie and June Kreider Smith.
His formative years were spent in South Whitley. He graduated from South Whitley High School.
A semi driver, he worked over 20 years for South Whitley Trucking, Consolidated Freight for a short time and retired from Yellow Freight.
On March 19, 1965, he married Betty Lou Coldren. They have always made their home in Warsaw.
His memberships included the Moose, North Manchester, and American Legion, Warsaw.
Surviving relatives include his wife, Betty; six children: Michael J. (spouse Pat) Olinger, Grand Rapids Mich.; Ann J. (spouse Norman) Johnson,Ashland Ohio; Jeannie M. (spouse Juan) Gonzales, Millersburg; Debra S. (spouse Rex Darley) Lancaster, Jeffrey R. (spouse Melissa) Smith and Sharon K. (spouse Dave) Peters, all of South Whitley; 12 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; and a sister, Doris Zirkelbach of Woodburn.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a great-granddaughter and a brother, Lyle Smith.
The funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday at Smith & Sons Miller Chapel, South Whitley, with visitation from noon to 2 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. The burial will be in South Whitley Cemetery.
*****
Preferred memorials are to Great Lakes Hospice.
Online condolences may be sent to www.smithandsonsfuneralhome.com.
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