MENTONE – Robert C. Smith, 85, Davie, Fla., and formerly of Mentone, died at 8:36 p.m. Oct. 25, 2013, in Florida Medical Center of Fort Lauderdale, Fla. He was born May 28, 1928, in Kosciusko County, to Max M. and Winifred Tucker Smith. On Oct. 21, 1950, in Mentone he married Barbara J. Cooper, who survives in Davie. He started as a mechanic with his father Max in Mentone. He owned and operated Smith Brothers Diesel Injection Inc. where he had been for 52 years. He and his wife also owned the Arctic Cat Dealership in Mentone from 1969 to 1978. They retired in 2000 and moved to Florida in 2011. He served his country in the National Guard from 1947 to 1949, and then he was released to join the U.S. Marine Corps serving in the Korean War from 1951 to 1954. He was a member of the American Legion Unit 49, Warsaw Moose Lodge, ADS and the Ambassador Air of Indianapolis. He attended the Mentone United Methodist Church. He enjoyed snowmobiling with the Rochester and South Bend snowmobile clubs. He enjoyed spending time with his friends and loved to travel in his RV. Also surviving are a daughter, Sara Jo (and spouse Sal) Murcia, Davie; a grandson, Noel (and spouse Crystal) Murcia, Novelty, Ohio; two granddaughters, Sally (and spouse Max) Whyte, Davie, and Elizabeth Murcia, Fayetteville, N.C.; three great-grandchildren: Isabel, Gabriel and Spencer James; several cousins and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents. Services will be at 1 p.m. Sunday at King Memorial Home, 101 N. Tucker St., Mentone, with the Rev. Amber Karkosky-Litten officiating. Burial will be in Mentone Cemetery with graveside military rites preformed by the American Legion and VFW, both of Warsaw. Calling is from 3 to 6 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home. ***** Memorials to Mentone Cemetery. Condolences may be sent via www.hartzlerfuneralservices.com
