Martin L. Smith, age 77 of Vincennes and native of Lawrenceville, passed away Friday, August 14th, 2020 at Good Samaritan Hospital in Vincennes, IN.
He was born January 28th, 1943 in Richland County, IL, the son of William Elbern “E.B.” Smith and Ella Mae (Martin) Smith. He married Joan Vogler Roos of Jasper, IN in 1988 and she survives him.
Marty was a 1961 graduate of Lawrenceville High School. He worked at and later owned Smith Sales Inc. founded by his father in 1943. The business has been known as Marty Smith’s King’s Great Buys Plus since 1990. He completed his BS in Accounting at SIU in Carbondale, IL in 1966 he then enlisted in the US Air Force and was stationed at Forbes AFB, Topeka, KS as a Logistic Officer 1967-71 during the Vietnam War. He had TDY’s to Germany, Panama, Lowry AFB in Colorado, and in Chicago, IL for the riots.
He was a previous member of the Lawrenceville First Presbyterian Church, Kiwanis, Chamber of Commerce, Elks, and the Harmony Society in Vincennes, Indiana. He enjoyed flying in his younger years and had his private pilot’s license.
Preceding him in death were: his parents E.B. and Ella Mae Smith, his sister, Delores “Dee” Bond, and beloved grandson, Zachary Smith.
Surviving him in death are: his wife, Joan; one son Jeffrey Smith and wife Loretta of Westfield, IN; two daughters, Stephanie Smith of Racine, WI; Andrea Rich and husband Matthew of Minnetonka, MN; two stepsons, Jeff Roos and wife Julie of Jasper, IN; John Roos and wife Heather also of Jasper, IN; nine grandchildren, Lynsey Gaylor, Holden Whybark, Samantha Whybark, Claire Rich, Aidan Rich, Morgan Storey, Tarryn Roos, Davis Roos, Kristin Roos; as well as four great grandchildren, cousins, a niece, nephews, and many special brother and sister-in-law.
Visitation will be this Wednesday, August 19th from 11-2 (Indiana time) at Goodwin Family Funeral Home, 524 Broadway Street in Vincennes, IN. A small service will follow for close family members and he will then be laid to rest in the Lawrenceville City Cemetery.
Memorial donations may be made to the following organization in Marty’s memory: Disabled American Veterans Vincennes Chapter, P.O. Box 929, Vincennes, IN 47591. (812) 881-0789
Online condolences may be made at www.goodwinsieversfh.com.
