PLYMOUTH - Howard "Smokie" Stutzman, 82, of 3633 15th Road, Bourbon, died at 9:30 p.m. July 5, 2008, in Pilgrim Manor Care Center, Plymouth.
He was born Nov. 10, 1925, in Leesburg, the next-to-the-youngest son of the 13 children of David D. and Ida Hostettler Stutzman. On Nov. 10, 1947, in First United Church of Christ, Plymouth, he married Patricia "Patty" Witham, who died Aug. 27, 2006.
The nine boys and four girls grew up on a 140-acre farm near Nappanee. Raised in a strict Amish family, the family spoke low German. He once said that they went to school to learn how to speak English. None of the 13 Stutzman children remained in the Amish community, but he agreed that they all learned value that permeated their lives.
He lived in this area all of his life except for the 12 years he spent in Texas.
Of the entire family, only Smokie and an older sister graduated from high school. He earned his diploma while he was in the U.S. Navy, serving during World War II from Nov. 9, 1943, until May 3, 1946.
He and Patty raised three children, served as longtime managers of the Plymouth Country Club, owned and operated a Kentucky Fried Chicken in Texas from 1966-77, and Patty's Party Pack, Plymouth, from 1985-93.
He was a respected and talented realtor for 16 years, retiring in 2000.
He was a member of Plymouth Country Club, Moose Lodge, Plymouth Veterans of Foreign Wars, Bourbon's American Legion and First United Church of Christ, Plymouth.
Surviving are a daughter, Rexalea Warren, Plymouth; a son, Samuel Witham (and spouse Lori) Stutzman, Bourbon; five grandchildren: Christopher "Scooter" and Jennifer Warren, both of Plymouth; Schuyler (and spouse Julie) Stutzman, Fort Wayne; and Lindsay and Savannah Stutzman, both of Bourbon; a sister, Barbara Swift; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Bill; and 11 brothers and sisters, Jonas, Issac, Dan, Marvin, Joe, Eli, Delbert, Alvin, Alice, Alma and Sara.
Services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at First United Church of Christ, 321 N. Center St., Plymouth, with Pastor Steve Voelker and the Rev. Dr. Ronald Liechty officiating. Burial will be in New Oakhill Cemetery, Plymouth.
Calling is from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Johnson-Danielson Funeral Home, 1100 N. Michigan St., Plymouth, and one hour prior to the service Thursday at the church.
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Memorials to Center for Hospice and Palliative Care.
Condolences may be sent to www.johnson-danielson.com
