Submitted by: Mary Jo Koran

SBT 6/22/1979

Ira R. Smith

October 8, 1886 – June 20, 1979

Ira R. Smith, 92, of 26054 Lake, Elkhart, a former South Bend resident, died on Wednesday at his home.

He was born on October 8, 1886, in Whitley County IN.  In 1954 he retired as yardmaster for the Pennsylvania Railroad, South Bend.  On April 22, 1908, in South Bend, Smith married Bertha May Hartzell who died on July 26, 1977, in Elkhart. 

Surviving are four daughters, Mrs. Betty Hanna and Mrs. Mildred Pickering, both of Elkhart, Mrs. Frances Baker of Three Rivers MI and Mrs. Geraldine Tetzlaff of South Bend; a son, William R. of Edwardsburg; 17 grandchildren; 21 great grandchildren and two great great grandchildren.

Services will be at 11am Saturday in the Winding Waters Brethren Church, Elkhart.  Rev. Michael Gleason, associate pastor, will officiate.  Burial will be in Riverview Cemetery, South Bend.

Friends may call after 4pm today in the Hartzler-Gutermuth Funeral Home, Elkhart.  Smith was a member of the church, the Brotherhood of railroad Trainmen and a past master of Masonic Lodge 294, South Bend.