Smith, Earl L.
The Lord called Rev. Earl L. Smith, 72, of Green Bay, on Saturday, March 11, 2017 after a courageous battle with cancer.
Earl was born on April 13, 1944 in Manitowoc to the late Earl and Elizabeth (Archiquette) Smith. He is survived by his wife, Sarah, of 45 years; his children Earl W. (Jodi) Smith of Sioux City, IA and Michelle (Derrick) Gordon of Oneida; and his grandchildren: Tena Smith, Summer Gordon, Derrick Gordon, Jr., and Brayden Gordon. He is also survived by his brothers and sisters: Karen Skenandore, Judy Matthews, Muriel (Gaylord) Process, Gary Smith (Cheryl Eis), Stanley (Linda) Smith, Darryl Smith, Elizabeth (Richard) Kramer, Lewellyn (Joannie) Smith, Susan (Matthew) Loch, Larry (Donna) Smith, and Chrystal Smith plus numerous nieces and nephews. Earl’s one brother, Bradley Smith preceded him in death.
Earl is a graduate of Green Bay East High School and Brown Institute – Radio & Television Broadcasting School, Minneapolis, MN. He answered his vocational call to the ministry graduating from Northwestern College, Orange City, IA with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Religion and Western Theological Seminary, Holland, MI, with a Masters of Divinity. While he was a seminary student, he pastored the Comanche Reformed Church in Lawton, OK for two years.
Following ordination in 1981, he served the following churches as Pastor: McKee Bussing Reformed Church, McKee, KY; Immanuel Reformed Church, London, Ontario, Canada; Maranatha Reformed Church, Wainfleet, Ontario, Canada; as Missionary Pastor of the Umoho Reformed Church, Macy, NE; and returned home to pastor the Oneida United Methodist Church, Oneida, WI. He retired from the active ministry January 2013.
Earl served his country for 12 years beginning after high school with two years with Naval Reserves followed with four years active duty with the United States Air Force. While a college and seminary student, he was active in the Army Reserves. Earl is a member of the Wisconsin Indian Veterans Association, Oneida Chapter.
Earl enjoyed singing with the Oneida Hymn Singers until the chemo affected his voice and singing became difficult.
Family and friends may visit from 4:00 to 8:00 PM on Thursday, March 16, 2017 at RYAN FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORY, 305 N. Tenth St, De Pere. Oneida Hymn Singers at 6:30 PM and a Prayer service at 7:00 PM. Visitation will continue from 9:30 to 10:45 AM on Friday, March 17, 2017 at Christ Alone Church, 505 E. Allouez Ave, Green Bay, WI. Funeral Service will follow at 11:00 AM with Rev. Dr. Ted Tromble and Pastor Ann Bullis officiating. Burial with Military Honors will follow the service in the Oneida Methodist Cemetery, Oneida, WI. Please visit www.ryanfh.com to send a condolence to the Smith family.
The family would like to thank Unity Hospice, Dr. Mulkerin, UW Madison Carbone Cancer Center, Dr. Bodvarsson, and Dr. Vir for their care and support.
