Robert Wayne 'Smitty' Smith

Robert Wayne "Smitty" Smith, 80, of Tilton, passed away at 11:30 p.m. Friday March 18, 2005 at VA Illiana Health Care System in Danville. He was born February 22, 1925 in Danville, Illinois, the son of Everett F. and Sylvia Odessa (Chandler) Smith. He married Sylvia May VanNote on April 16, 1948 in Covington, Indiana. Smitty is survived by: his wife of over 56 years - Sylvia May Smith of Tilton, IL; 4 Children- Linda (Duane) Dorwart of Tilton, Kathryn (Freddy) DeLaRosa of Danville, William E. (Toni) Smith of Mt. Pleasant, MI and Penny (Glenn) Hasselmann of Imperial, MO; 11 Grandchildren; 15 Great-Grandchildren; 1 Brother-in-law- Clarence Arthur VanNote of Florida; 1 Sister-in-law- Wretha Lightle of Lawrence, IN; and several nieces and nephews. His parents and 1 Brother-in-law- Russell VanNote preceded him in death. He served in the U.S. Army during WWII from 1942-1946 and was stationed in the South Seas and Juneau, Alaska. Smitty worked for Grab-It-Here/Dolly Madison as a maintenance supervisor for 22 years, and then worked for Bohn Heat Transfer as a maintenance supervisor until his retirement in 1990. He was a member of V.F.W. Post #728 for over 50 years, serving as commander, honor guard, and as quartermaster for 30 years; member of American Legion Post #51 for over 50 years; member of Masonic Lodge #38, Gao Grotto and the Shriner's Club. He enjoyed working in his yard and with his flowers, and loved the outdoors. He enjoyed home improvement projects, and was always there for his children and grandchildren.