Carl “Smitty” Smith Jr., 79, of 6548 Birch St., Vesper, died Friday, Jan. 27, 2012, at Riverview Medical Center, Wisconsin Rapids, surrounded by his family.
Funeral services are at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Trinity Lutheran Church, Vesper. The Rev. Doug Schalow will officiate. Burial in Trinity Lutheran Parish Cemetery, Vesper, with military rites provided by American Legion Post No. 520 of Vesper. Visitation will be from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday at Ritchay Funeral Home in Wisconsin Rapids and from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Wednesday at the church.
Carl was born April 23, 1932, in Eau Claire County to Carl and Esther (Marten) Smith Sr. He married Betty Jane Johnson on June 4, 1955. Carl was a milk hauler for Sanna Dairies (Kerry Ingredients).
Carl served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He was a member of American Legion Post No. 520, Vesper. He enjoyed fishing, feeding and watching birds and building “things” in his workshop. Although he didn’t dance, he still enjoyed listening to polka music.
Carl is survived by his wife, Betty; two daughters, Sue Haas and Jeanette (Gary) Shirek both of Vesper; five grandchildren, Tami Haas, Jodi (Ryan) Duffek, Tori (Jeremiah) Peterson, Brittany (Tony) Bohm and Ethan Smith; three great-grandchildren, Natalie “Cupcake” Peterson, Emma Duffek and Abigail Vollert, with a future great-granddaughter on the way; two brothers, Kenneth (Marilyn) Smith and Gordon (Mary) Smith, both of Stevens Point; one sister, Arlys (Ervin) Knoop of Neillsville; sisters-in-law, Pat Smith of Bullhead City, Ariz., Donna Smith of Neillsville and Marion Johnson of Neillsville; special friends, Don and Vi Berkholtz and also survived by many nieces, nephews and other family.
Carl was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Earl and Marvin; sisters, Elaine and Arlene and father- and mother-in-law, Lawrence and Arlene (Jorstad) Johnson.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be designated to UW Cancer Center Riverview.
