EARL R. SMITH

Johnston City–Earl R. Smith 90 of Englewood and Venice, Florida, formerly of Dearborn, Michigan passed away at 2:45 A.M. on Thursday November 24, 2011 in Venice, Florida.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday November 29, 2011 from 2:00 P.M. to 4:00 P.M. at Ewing Funeral Home in Venice, Florida. Services will be held at 4:00 P.M. following the visitation. Local services will be held at 1:00 P.M. Saturday December 3, 2011 at the Murman & Wilson Funeral Home in Johnston City. Visitation will be from 11:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. Saturday at the funeral home. Burial will be in the Lakeview Cemetery in Johnston City with graveside military rites conducted by the Marion V.F.W. American Legion and Illinois Army National Guard.

He is survived by his wife Nola of Englewood and Venice, FL; a daughter, Nancy Broen of Racine, Wisconsin; a son Ray Smith and wife Nellie of Brentwood Tennessee; a son-in-law, Don Roesler; and four grandchildren, Dawn Harris, David Roesler, Chris Smith and wife Whitney, and Brett Smith; great grandchildren, James Harris and Erik Harris and one soon to arrive.

He is preceded in death by his parents; and a daughter, Karen Roesler in 2008.

Earl graduated from the University of Illinois with a Masters in Ceramic Engineering. He retired as a Lt. Col. of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, also retired from Ford Motor Company as Glass Research and Development Manager. He was a member of the Trinity Presbyterian Church.