Van Allen "Smitty" Smith

VAN ALLEN SMITH "SMITTY" Van was born in Fordson, Michigan on June 22, 1928 to Elmer and Mamie Smith, living most of his childhood in Wilburton, Oklahoma. Van joined the Navy in Dallas, Texas in 1946. He was a Sonar Technician, serving his country in the Korean and Vietnam War. He moved to Ferndale while stationed at Centerville Beach and married Gertrude (Martin-Michel) Zwick in 1968. He retired while stationed in Adak Alaska in December of 1971 moving back to Ferndale permanently. He was preceded in death by his wife Gertrude in 1998, sisters Betty McCully and Maureen Barnhart of Tulsa Oklahoma, step children, John Michel, Rich Michel (and wife Rose), Phyllis Perkins (and husband Bill) and Dirk Zwick, and grandchildren Allen Michel and Tony Michel. He is survived by his brother Dean Smith of Sand Springs, Oklahoma, John's wife Charlotte, his brother-in-law Tony Martin and wife Marguerite, grandchildren John Michel Jr., Vic Michel, Tom Michel, Marcia Rueden, Greg Michel, Clint Michel, Dan Perkins, Cathy Whitchurch and Tracy Perkins, numerous great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. Per Van's request there will be no services. Private burial will be at the Ferndale Catholic Cemetery. If you couldn't find Van he was probably at Poppa Joes "lying" at dice or at Bear River Casino playing Poker (winning most of the time). Grandpa wanted everyone to know that he loved living in Ferndale for the past 47 years, knowing so many good people, and enjoying his family to the very end. In his words his life was "OUTSTANDING". Arrangements under the care of Goble's Fortuna Mortuary, Fortuna, California. Please sign the guestbook at www.times-standard.com under Obituaries.
Published in Eureka Times-Standard on Mar. 29, 2015

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