Wayne “Bear” Smith, 77, of rural Wabash, Indiana passed away at 12:51 p.m. on Saturday, December 17, 2016 at Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He was born to the late Estel and Stella (Osborne) Smith on January 8, 1939 in Hite, Kentucky.
He graduated from Martin High School in Martin, Kentucky. Wayne married Connie Manning on October 5, 1984, she survives. He retired from Container Corporation in Wabash, Indiana. Wayne was a member of Lincolnville United Methodist Church.
Along with his wife, Connie; Wayne is survived by sons, John Adkins (Jamie) of Lagro, Indiana, Doug Smith (Tina) of Wabash, Indiana, and Jim Smith of Wabash, Indiana; daughters, Sheryll Ulshafer (Dave) of Wabash, Indiana and Robin Cook (Greg) of Andrews, Indiana; brothers, Ronald Smith (Mary Jane) of West Milton, Ohio, Estel Smith (Cathy) of Hagerhill, Kentucky, and James Jimmy Rederick (Sandy) of Martin, Kentucky; sister, Marlene Stumbo of Ivel, Kentucky; nine grandchildren, Tanya Smith, Chad Smith, Cory Shenefield, Derek Shenefield, Rebecca Roberts, Miranda Adkins, Kristopher Black, Kayla Black, and Joe Futrell; and several great grandchildren. He is preceded in death by a grandson, Jason Futrell.
Funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, December 22, 2016 at McDonald Funeral Home, 231 Falls Avenue, Wabash, Indiana 46992, with Rev. Melissa Rice officiating. Burial will follow at St. Peters Cemetery in Urbana, Indiana. Preferred memorials are directed to Lincolnville United Methodist Church or Leukemia Association.
Visitation for family and friends will be held from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Wednesday, December 21, 2016 at the funeral home. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.mcdonaldfunerals.com