- Raymond Alvin Smith, 89, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, June 3, 2008. He was born in Hawkins, WI, on July 22, 1918, to Cecil J. and Anna (Ottinger) Smith. After graduation from New London High School, he worked in the Civilian Conservation Corp. He served in the Army Air Force from September 25, 1940 to 1945 spending 30 months overseas in England. He married Frances Ann Elenich on June 20, 1942, at Mitchell Air Field, Long Island, NY. She preceded him in death on February 14, 2008. Ray was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather He was kind and generous to all. He enjoyed talking with people and sharing a good story and joke. He especially enjoyed his garden and sharing its produce. For many years he worked for O'Neil Supply Co. and later Modern Flooring Co. in New London as well as farming.
Survivors include his children: Georgia (Robert) Dobberstein of New London; William (Rosa Jung) Smith of Loretto, MN; Arthur (Cheryl) Smith of Payson, AZ; Kristen (Mark) Peterson of Kenosha, WI; grandchildren: Kenneth (Peo) Smith; Heather Smith (special friend Peter DeShaney and daughter Morgan); Aaron (Jennifer) Dobberstein; Jaimie Smith (fiance Jon Harris); and Lara Peterson; great-grandchildren: Samantha Huot and Brennan Casselman Dobberstein; sisters: Helen Robinson, Irene Evans, and Lila (Fred) Ewig; many nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends.
Ray was preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Fran; brother, Arden (Lorna) Smith; sisters and their husbands: Della (Claude) Duncan, Marion (Clarence) Young, Mildred (Arthur) Uttendorfer, Margaret (Gordon) Hansen, Lenora Smith, Dorothy (Roger) Des Bois, Irma (Glen) Ehlke; brothers-in-law: Erwin Fuss, Harvey Tonn, Charles Evans and Joseph Robinson.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, June 10, 2008, at St. John's Episcopal Church, 1513 Pinewood Lane, New London, Rev Paul Feider officiating. Family and friends may gather from 9 a.m. until time of service. In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, memorials are established for the New London Public Library, Museum and Historical Society.
Always a strong believer in education, and generous to the last, Ray has donated his body to the University of WI medical school.
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1918 - 2008 (89 years)
Obituary
