Obit: Smith, Douglas C. (1935 - 2009)

 
Contact: Stan

Surnames: Smith, Polansky, Jost, McVey, Demontigny, King, Collins

----Source: Marshfield News Herald, Marshfield, Wood Co., WI, Sun. 29 Mar. 2009

Smith, Douglas C. (10 Jan. 1935 - 23 Mar. 2009)

Douglas C. Smith, 74, of Stoughton, was called home to his Lord and Savior on Mon., March 23, 2009, at HospiceCare, living the last seven years, 13 days, as a strong, brave stroke survivor.

He was born in Nekoosa, on Jan. 10, 1935, the second child of William "Buster" and Lucile (Jost) Smith.

Doug attended school in Nekoosa. When he left Nekoosa, Doug worked on a large dairy farm in Richmond, Ill., and had the opportunity to meet and work with country western singer Jim Reeves, prior to joining the Army.

He served in the U. S. Army from 1954 until 1956 during the Korean War with a special Army-Air Force unit that built runways for the Air Force. While in service, he was trained to do surveying following an injury received while building runways.

Following Doug's honorable discharge, he worked for a civil engineering company doing surveying in the Elkhorn-Delavan area. On May 4, 1957, he was united in marriage to Lois Polansky from Wisconsin Rapids. In 1962, he started school in the apprenticeship program for plumbing, and in November 1971, obtained his master plumber's license and opened his own plumbing and heating shop in Delavan. While residing in Delavan, Doug served as a volunteer firefighter for 15 years.

In 1980, because of continued back problems from his military injury, he retired from the plumbing and heating business and went into the financial planning and insurance business with Lutheran Brotherhood Insurance, relocating to Stoughton.

Doug's hobbies included hunting, fishing, gardening (vegetables and flowers), woodworking, traveling, enjoying his family and grandchildren, playing cards, watching history and sci-fi on television, cooking and baking, and his pet Schnauzers. In 1991, he was diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome and constant debilitating headaches and diabetes, thus making him unable to work.

In March 2002, Doug suffered his first stroke, paralyzing his right side and leaving him unable to speak. On May 30, 2002, he had a second stroke, causing his left side to be weakened.

Doug is survived by his wife, Lois of Stoughton; three children, Greg (Annielie) of Stoughton, Cynda Lee (Billy) DeMontigny of Evansville, and Denise (Mark) King of Stoughton; six grandchildren, Amanda, Theressa, Aaron, Ashley, Abigail and Austin; six great-grandchildren, Quintin, Shane, Blake, Cyle, Carter and Emily; two brothers, Kelley (Eltrie) of Myrtle Beach, S.C., and Mitch (Jan) of Laveen, Ariz; a sister, Eunice (Bob) Collins of Elkhorn; sister-in-law, Donna Smith of Wisconsin Rapids; and extended family and special friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and a brother, Richard.

Funeral services will be held at Good Shepherd by the Lake Lutheran Church, 1860 U.S. Highway 51, Stoughton, at 11 a.m. Sat. April 4, 2009, with the Rev. Todd McVey presiding. Entombment will be in Highland Memory Gardens, Madison, with military rites conducted. Visitation will be held at Gunderson Stoughton Funeral Home, Highway 51 North at Jackson St., Stoughton, from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. Fri., April 3, 2009, and at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of the service Sat.

Memorials may be made to the family in memory of Doug.

Gunderson Stoughton

Funeral & Cremation Centers

Highway 51 North at Jackson St.