Mar. 28, 1929 - Apr. 4, 2007

Forrest G. "Smitty" Smith, Sr., 78, of Elkhart, formerly of South Bend, died at 5:00 PM Wednesday, April 4, 2007 in his home. He was born on March 28, 1929 in Mishawaka, IN to Dorothy F. and Farnum B. Smith and was a lifelong area resident.

He was previously employed with St. Joseph Bank and Trust Co; American Bank and Trust Co; Bendix Credit Union; Trailer Town Trailer Sales; Al Craft Trailer Sales; Holiday of Elkhart; Travelcraft Mfg; Trans-Aire Van Mfg; and retired in 1998 from Damon Corporation where he served for five years.

Smitty is survived by one daughter, Tracy (Randy) Stutesman of Buchanan, MI; two sons, Forrest (Jodi) Smith, Jr. of Elkhart and Shawn (Clare) Smith of Jacksonville, FL; four stepdaughters, Cindy (James) Hart of Elkhart, Kathleen (Dennis) Kemp of Union, MI, Linda (Marvin) Lewis and Janice (Alan) VanDaele, both of Elkhart; ten grandchildren; 2 great grandsons; half-brother, Wayne Southwood of Mishawaka; and Joan E. Rothballer, his companion who he lived with during his last years. He was preceded in death by his former wife, Joan Meyers.

Smitty was an avid fan of Notre Dame Football; the Chicago Cubs, Chicago Bears and of NASCAR racing. He enjoyed spending the winters the last seven years in Largo, FL, where he met many new friends and their families.

Smitty served in the United States Army 47th Division, 164 Inf Bn Co. E. Company Clerk and 306th Field Hospital as a Unit Supply Sergeant.

Smitty was a member of River Park United Methodist Church, South Bend and Anona United Methodist Church, Largo, FL

Entombment and military services will take place in Southlawn Cemetery, South Bend at a later date. Palmer Funeral Home-River Park, South Bend is assisting the family with arrangements.

Contributions in memory of Forrest G. Smith, Sr. may be offered to National Parkinson's Foundation, 1501 NW 9th Ave, Miami, FL 33136 or to the American Heart Association, 3816 Paysphere Circle, Chicago, IL 60674 or to Center for Hospice & Palliative Care, 111 Sunnybrook Court, South Bend, IN 46637.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.palmerfuneralhomes.com.

06/17/2021 DEC