Obituaries : Ralph J. Smith

Ralph J. Smith, 97 of Yorktown, Indiana and formerly of Vinton, IA died February 7, 2019 at Ball Memorial Hospital in Muncie, Indiana. Ralph was born August 27, 1921 in Lucas, South Dakota to Charles H. and Ella G. (Doring) Smith. He attended Dallas Public High School in Dallas, South Dakota. At the age of 15, to help support his family during the Great Depression, he worked harvesting potatoes and beets in Idaho, repairing windmills in Wyoming, and worked on the Union Pacific railroad. At the age of 17 he joined the Civilian Conservation Corp. He served his nation in the United States Navy as a Petty Officer First Class in Okinawa, Japan. Ralph was united in marriage to Elinor Baldwin Hart on December 19, 1942 in Iowa City while stationed there. Ralph was honorably discharged in 1945. After returning from World War II, Ralph worked as a carpenter. Ralph was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Vinton and the Geo. G. Luckey American Legion Post #57. Bowling was his hobby. Ralph dearly loved his entire family and considered them his greatest accomplishment. Ralph is survived by his sons, Jim (Sherry) Smith of St. Louis; MO, Greg (Susan) Smith and Mike Smith all of Yorktown, IN; his daughter-in-law, Roxie Smith of Clermont, FL; his grandchildren, Jeff (Dawn) Smith of Waterloo; Brad (Gaby) Smith of Prosper, TX; Nicole Burdge of St. Louis, MO; Aaron Smith of Memphis, TN; Sarah (Tom) Cira of Granger, IN; Molly (Josh) Woody of Fishers, IN; Shelly Smith of San Diego, CA; Mark Smith of Yorktown, IN; Scott Smith of San Jose, CA and fourteen great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Elinor Smith; his son, Steve Smith; his infant daughter, Mary Catherine Smith; his daughter-in-law, Denise (Hogan) Smith; and two brothers, Carl and Harold Smith. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 AM, Saturday, February 16, 2019 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Vinton with Fr. Jim Brokman as officiant. Interment will be in Evergreen Cemetery with full military rites conducted by the Geo. G. Luckey American Legion Post #57 and Iowa Military Funeral Honors. Visitation will be from 4:30 PM – 7:30 PM, Friday, February 15, 2019 also at St. Mary’s Catholic Church and one hour prior to service time at the church on Saturday. Memorials may be directed to the STEVE-O Foundation in honor of Ralph's son. Checks can be written to "Racing For Steve-O Foundation" and mailed to 14831 Copper Penny Dr Granger, IN 46530 or donate online via www.racingforsteveo.org. Phillips Funeral Home in Vinton is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be left at: www.phillipsfuneralhomes.com