Gary E. Smith, age 80 of Kenosha, died on Thursday, November 12, 2015 at United Hospital System – Kenosha Hospital Campus, with his loving family by his side.

Born in Alton, IL on October 3, 1935, he was the son of the late Leo C. and Mary L. (Miller) Smith.

From October 6, 1952 until June 19, 1970, he honorably served our country as a Petty Officer 1^st Class in the U.S. Navy during the Korean and Vietnam Wars.

He attended Michigan State University and received his management certificate.  Gary began employment with Kenosha Memorial Hospital and earned the position of Director of Housekeeping for many years.

On November 6, 1969 in Waukegan, IL, he was united in marriage to Marilyn J. Chovan.  They were blessed with 46 years of marriage.

Gary was a member of St. Peter Catholic Church and the National Executive Housekeeper Association where he was once regional president.

He was a great outdoorsman and loved Northern Wisconsin.  Gary enjoyed fishing, hunting, bowling and spending time with his family.  He was a Western movie buff and his favorite movie was the Quiet Man with John Wayne.  Gary enjoyed music and listened to Johnny Cash and John Horton and especially loved listening to his wife Marilyn play the organ.  Christmas was Gary’s favorite holiday.  His children and grandchildren will never forget the abundance of gifts under the tree.

He is survived by his wife, Marilyn Smith; his four children, Theresa Marie (Dr. Mark) Eberhage of Milwaukee, William Edward Smith of Kenosha, Steven Paul (Judy) Smith of Crystal Lake, IL and Gary Leo (Marie) Smith of Mt. Pleasant; his five grandchildren, David Joseph, Marissa Louise, Alexander Marcus, Luke Andrew and Leo Walker; his brother, Richard (Mary) Smith of Godfrey, IL; and his sister, Jacquelyn “Jackie” (Brian) Bergjans of Zephyrhills, FL.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his beloved aunt, Catherine Wheeler.

Service Info

Funeral Services will be held on Thursday, beginning with a prayer service at 11:15 a.m. from Piasecki-Althaus Funeral Home, 3720-39th Ave., Kenosha, WI. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 12:00 Noon at St. Peter Catholic Church, 2224 30th Avenue. Interment with full military honors will follow in St. George Cemetery.