Fennimore, WI – Delos W. Smith, age 90, of Fennimore passed away on Sunday morning Dec. 23, 2012 at Grant Regional Health Center in Lancaster. Delos was born on March 24, 1922 in Millville, WI the son of William and Mabel (Culver) Smith. He married Elmyra Wayne on Feb. 20, 1946 in Fennimore.
Delos attended Millville School until having to stay home to care and provide for his family due to the unexpected death of his father. In 1942, Delos enlisted in the US Navy and proudly served aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nehenta Bay during WWII until being honorably discharged in 1945. Delos enjoyed attending several reunions with his shipmates and was honored recently to travel to Washington D.C. with his son with the Badger Honor Flight program. He worked at the Co-op in Fennimore for 13 years before being employed at the Grant County Highway Department from where he retired at the age of 63. Delos enjoyed fishing, camping in Bagley and gambling with family and friends. He was very loyal to his Ford vehicles and took great pride in having them always look their very best. Those who loved him will forever remember his deep pride for family, great sense of humor and friendly smile. He will be greatly missed.
Delos is survived by his three children; Cathy (Terry Davis) Gabel, Greg (Linda) Smith and Brad (Cindy) Smith all of Fennimore, five grandchildren, eleven great-grandchildren, five great-great-grandchildren, two sisters; Eloda (Jerry) Miller of Sparta, and Marlene Everson of Fennimore, and a sister-in-law Donna Smith of Lancaster.
Delos was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Elmyra on Oct. 12, 1995, a son-in-law, Lewis “Junior” Gabel on June 29, 2008, a granddaughter Angela Gabel on Oct. 2, 2010, a brother Loren, and a brother-in-law Donald Everson.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Thursday Dec. 27, 2012 at the Fennimore United Methodist Church with Rev. Duane Andrus officiating. Burial with military honors will follow in the Mt. Ida Cemetery, Mt. Ida Township, Grant Co., WI. Friends may call from 4-8:00 P.M. on Wednesday evening Dec. 26, 2012 at the Larson Family Funeral Home in Fennimore and from 10:00 A.M. until the time of service at the church on Thursday morning.