Gerald Joseph Smith

“I kissed a tiger lily and what do you suppose? With his orange puff of powder, it made freckles on my nose.”

Gerald Joseph Smith, 81, passed away Sunday, Jan. 30, 2011, at Medina Nursing Center, Durand, after a long illness. Born July 29, 1929, to Joseph and Marie Deskevich Smith. He lived his whole life in Rockford. Married Barbara L. Tracy on April 27, 1957, in Durand. Graduated from West High School, Class of 1947, and graduated with an associates degree in science from Rock Valley College in Rockford. Lifetime member of the Rockford Lithuania Club, member of the Durand American Legion, and Winnebago Masonic Temple. He worked for George D. Roper Corp., J.I. Case Co., Weyhauser Corp., National Lock, and Barber Colman, all of Rockford, retiring in 1994. Was a veteran of the Korean War. During It retirement he enjoyed speeding by boat up and down the Rock River in Rockford and fishing in Wisconsin on Rooney Lake near Spooner where he owned a cottage. Survivors include wife. Barbara; daughter, Tracy Bybee of Rockton; granddaughters, Brittany and Rebecca Bybee, both of Rockton; cousin, Alex (Vi) Smith of Rockford; sisters-in-law, Shirley Tracy of South Beloit, Susan (Ed) Warren of Arkansas and Sally (Richard) Cuthbertson of Durand; brother-in-law, Gary (Roseann) Tracy of Spooner. Wis.; and numerous nieces and nephews. Predeceased by parents; and special aunt and uncle. Catherine and Joseph Bacevich. Graveside service at 2 p.m. Friday, Feb. 4, in Durand Cemetery, Durand, with Chaplain Neil Dreier of the Durand American Legion officiating. Memorial service to celebrate Gerald's life at 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 19, at the Lithuanian Club, 716 Indiana Ave., Rockford. Memorials to the family. Gerald will be remembered most for his politeness when anyone helped him, his sense of humor and his many sayings for all situations. Gerald loved fishing and boating. He enjoyed being by a river, stream of lake relaxing.