Obituary of Walter L. Smale

Bedford Walter L. Shorty Smale, 80, of Bedford, went peacefully at home surrounded by his family to be with his Lord on Wednesday, November 18, 2009 at 4:27 am. Born March 24, 1929 in Lawrence Co., he was the son of Fred and Dorothy (Blackwell) Smale. He married Mary A. Kelp on September 17, 1950. He was a forklift operator at General Motors for thirty-three years retiring in 1981. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army serving during the Korean War. He attended Gulletts Creek Baptist Church and was a member of the Brown County Antique Tractor Assoc. and U.A.W. Local #440. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, water skiing, riding his motorcycle and restoring antique John Deere tractors. Most of all, he enjoyed good times with family and friends. Survivors include his wife, Mary of Bedford; two daughters, Theresa Gerig and husband, Mike of Ft. Wayne, IN and Connie Franklin and husband, Ed of Springville; one son, Roger Smale and wife, Lynn of Springville; a brother, Harold Eugene Smale and wife, Mary of Bedford; six grandchildren, Doug Franklin and wife, Kasey of Indianapolis, Chad Gerig and wife, Stacey of Ft. Wayne, Jodi (Franklin) Davis and husband, Matthew of Fishers, Ryan Gerig of Ft. Wayne, Kegan Smale and his girlfriend, Michelle Kintz of Springville, Kyler Smale of Springville; one great grandson, Jaxson Gerig and three great grandchildren due in November, December and April; brothers and sisters-in-law, Maxine Hedrick of Nashville, IN, Don Kelp and wife, Thelma of Nashville, IN, Dallas Kelp and wife, Barb of Columbus, IN, Jim Kelp and wife, Bev of Nashville, IN, Jerry Kelp and wife, Annie of Sullivan, Judie Schroeder and husband, Ken of Columbus, IN, John Kelp and wife, Judy of Nashville, IN; several nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents. Funeral Information Funeral services will be conducted at 11:00 am on Saturday, November 21st from the Elmwood Chapel of the Day & Carter Mortuary. Burial will follow in the Judah Cemetery. Friends may call from 3:00 pm to 8:00 pm on Friday, November 20th at the Day & Carter Mortuary. Pallbearers are: Roger Smale, Doug Franklin, Chad Gerig, Ryan Gerig, Kegan Smale, Kyler Smale and Matthew Davis.