Frank R. Smith, age 83, of the greater Madison, WI area went to be with his Lord Thursday, July 21, 2016 at KindredHearts in Cottage Grove, Wisconsin.
He was born December 16, 1932 in Red Creek, West Virginia to Denver Lee Smith and Bessie Cloe (Lambert) Smith. He was predeceased by his devoted wife, Jeanine C. (Lighty) Smith.
Formerly of McHenry, IL, Frank lived in Colorado for 30 years before returning to McHenry. In 2008 he relocated to the Madison, WI area. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Air Force from 1951-1954. Frank was employed by Martin Marietta and Motorola in the aerospace industry. As an aerospace design engineer, he was proud of his opportunity to work on the space shuttle.
A deeply religious man, Frank’s love was the Lord. He attended services at The Chapel and enjoyed attending Bible studies and teaching Sunday School.
Survivors include his daughter Sandra Schwarz of Fox Lake, IL and son, Frank D. Smith of Denver, CO; six grandchildren, Amber Smith, Mandy Maez, Brad Schwarz, Grant Schwarz, Malia Heinrich, Frankie Smith; three great -grandchildren, Arabella, Remington and Camyron; three brothers, Warren (Terry) Smith of Auxvasse, MO, John (Sherri) Smith and Wayne (Jane) Smith of Parsons, WV and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Denver and Bessie Smith, his step-mother Ethel Raines Smith; two sisters, Norma Smith Parsons, Hambleton, WV and Becky Smith Bromell of Dallas TX and one brother, James “Blair “ Smith of Georgetown, TX as well as two great- grandchildren, Julian and Brodie. Interment was at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery, Elwood, IL.
