Obit: Smith, Ralph Douglas (1927 - 2014)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Smith, Hyland, Radle

----Source: Petoskey News-Review, MI 2/17/2015; Photos & Corrections by Sandra Little

  Ralph Smith & His Long-Time Friend

Smith, Ralph Douglas (April 7, 1927 - August 26, 2014)

Funeral memorial card, and obit from Petoskey News-Review - Courtesy of a granddaughter, Sandra Little

Ralph Douglas Smith, age 87, of Harbor Springs, left this earth Sunday, the 24th of August at his home surrounded by his family.

He was born in Kawkawlin (Kaukauna), Wis., to Bergen and Alice (Hyland) Smith. He served honorably in the Army Air Force at Selfridge A.F.B. from 1945 to 1947 as a dental technician.

He and his wife of 35 years, Elynore, who preceded him in death in 1983, moved to Indian River when he retired from Wayne State University where he was employed as a mechanical engineer. After Elynore’s death he moved to Harbor Springs and became the loving companion of Iris Radle, and together they happily shared the next 27 years of his life.

Ralph enjoyed being with his family, especially his grandchildren. He also enjoyed being outdoors, music, dancing and playing his harmonica. Ralph was one of 13 siblings; father to four daughters, Debra (Robert), Marcia (Edwin), Dona (Toby), Allison (Jim).

The Loving companion of Iris, mother of Marilyn (Keith), Carolyn (Paul), David (Martha), Chip (Jean), and Neva (Frank); grandfather of of 23; great-grandfather of 47; and great-great-grandfather of one.

The funeral service will take place at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 27, at Stutsmanville Chapel, 2988 State Road, in Harbor Springs. Private family visitation will be at 10:30 a.m.

The family requests in lieu of flowers, donations to be made to the American Heart Association. Interment will be 1 p.m. Friday, Aug. 29, at White Chapel Cemetery, Troy. 

Photo of the Smith Family - Alice & Bergen and all of their children     

*Corrections to Ralph Smith's Obituary: Grandpa Ralph's birthday was April 7, 1927 and he was actually born in Kaukauna, WI. They goofed on his original obit, an honest mistake, but Kawkawlin is a town in MI. Sandra Little