BREMEN – Richard Eugene Smith, 91, of Bremen, passed away Jan. 5, 2013, at Miller’s Merry Manor, Warsaw. He was born Oct. 28, 1921, in Vermillion County, to Everett and Lucille Smith. On Sept. 23, 1945, near Bremen, he married Madge Huff, who died Nov. 7, 2010. He graduated from Perrysville High School and then Purdue University, majoring in animal husbandry. He enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corp and served in the European Theatre. He managed a Purdue University research farm concerned with beef cattle feeding. In 1954 he moved to his own farm near Bremen. He was active in Bremen United Methodist Church, serving many years as lay leader, taught Sunday school, was active on the administrative board and in United Methodist Men. He served for 35 years as president of Marshall County Farm Bureau and also served on the extension board. He was president of the Bremen School Board when the high school was built in 1961. He was active in Bremen Kiwanis. He loved his family. He attended school events, 4-H fairs, baseball, football and soccer games to watch grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He patiently taught children to fish. He always enjoyed a day of fishing whether in winter or summer. He fried the fish for many family meals. He liked to travel, visiting every state. Surviving are two daughters, Linda (and spouse Dennis) Burch, Mentone, and Pamela (and spouse Don) Orr, Noblesville; five grandchildren: Dawn (and spouse Shawn) Campbell, Bremen; Deanna (and Scott) Greene and Deborah Burch, all of Fort Wayne; David (and spouse Kara) Orr, Piedmont, S.C.; and Daniel (and spouse Celina) Orr, Dallas, Texas; nine great-grandchildren: Abby and Zach Campbell; Aaron, Isaac, Ellie and Audrey Greene; Caleb and Silas Orr; and Phoebe Orr; and a sister, Hilda Myers, Clearwater, Fla. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Wayne. Service will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Mishler Funeral Home, Bremen, officiated by Pastor Scott Greene. Burial will be in Bremen Cemetery. Calling is from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. ***** Memorials may be made to the Bremen United Methodist Church building fund.
