Robert “Red” Smith, Jr., 89

Robert “Red” Smith, Jr., Jasper, age 89 , formerly of Winslow, passed away at 9 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 2, 2014, in Memorial Hospital, Jasper.

Red was born in Winslow, Ind., on April 26, 1924, to Robert Henry and Cammie (Richardson) Smith.

He married Betty Jane Dilley on April 20, 1946, in Winslow.

He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Betty Jane Smith; four daughters, Nila Howard and husband, Maurice, Columbus, Ind., twins; Brenda Kress, Jasper, and Linda O’Connell and husband, Michael, Bloomington, and Sylvia Smith, Jasper; nine grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

Preceding him in death are four brothers; Elwood, Eugene, Hilbert, and George Smith; one sister, Regina Resenbeck. He was the last living member of the Robert Henry and Cammie Smith family.

Mr. Smith was a member of the Winslow Christian Church, Winslow American Legion Post # 115, and Winslow Masonic Lodge F&AM #260, and Order of the Eastern Star # 391. He was a graduate of Winslow High School Class of 1944. He attended Evansville College and was an avid IU basketball fan. He retired as a lineman from Siegco, now Vectren, in 1986 after 29 years of service.

He was a WW II Navy veteran serving as a Seaman 1st Class. He served on the USS William General Mitchell, USS Starr (tack), USS Knute Rockne (tack), USS Samuel Moody (Cargo), and USS Bunker Hill (aircraft carrier in the Philippines), on which he returned to the USA after WWII. He was a recipient of the WW II Victory Medal, American Campaign Medal, American Theatre Ribbon, Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, Philippine Liberation Medal, Philippine Independence Medal, Philippine Defense Medal, and the Philippine Presidential Unit Citation Badge.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, Feb. 8, at the Winslow Christian Church. Dr. Robert Asa will officiate. Burial (interment) will be at Oak Hill Cemetery, Winslow with military rites by the VFW.

Friends may call at the Harris Funeral Home from 5-8 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 7, and one hour before funeral services at the Winslow Christian Church on Saturday. A Masonic memorial service will be conducted at 7 p.m..

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be sent to the Winslow Christian Church, or the Winslow Alumni Scholarship Fund c/o Joe Dedman, 4958 N Park Lane, Petersburg, IN 47567-8534