Bernard L. Smith

Bernard a?"Berniea? Smith, 76, Rockford, died peacefully on Tuesday, October 16, 2012, in his home. Born October 29, 1935, in Bradford, Illinois, son of William Myron Smith and Iscle Dickerson Smith. Lived the majority of his life in the Rockford area. He graduated from East High School in 1953 and served as a member of the Naval Reserves for 8 years. Married Norma Johnson on May 25, 1957. He was employed for 30 years at Sundstrand Machine Tool, after which he spent 18 years with Fibro, Inc. After retirement he became part owner and vicepresident of Peanut Butter Playcare. He and his wife enjoyed many trips in the United States and overseas, by land and by cruise ship. Some of the high points of his travels were to the Fibro Home Office in Germany and a business trip to China, with a side trip to the Great Wall and other parts of Beijing. His last adventure (on the bucket list) was a train trip to California and Oregon in 2011. A member of Christ United Methodist Church; he also had some very special memberships in The Cruisers, the Lucky Lane Association and the Boys Wednesday Brew Club. He appreciated cars and enjoyed driving them fast. He also enjoyed gardening, feeding and watching the birds, and earlier in his life enjoyed playing handball and racquetball. Bernie seemed to be able to fix almost anything and had the ability to find humor in most anything and did so with a wonderful, dry sense of humor. Survivors include his wife, Norma; children, Barry (Nancy) Smith, Byron, Raquel Ritschel, Smithfield, KY, Letechia Shevik, Sarasota, FL; grandchildren, John Matthew San Pietro, San Diego, CA, Gia (Will) San Pietro Marshal, LaGrange, KY, Mcrea Smith and Moira Smith, Byron; Amber Ritschel and Sophie Ritschel, Smithfield, KY; greatgranddaughter, Maddie Marshal, LaGrange, KY; sisters, Jane (John) Sohner, Winnebago, Kaye Woods, San Francisco, CA, Beverly Anderson, Seattle, WA; sisterinlaw, Betty Flohr, Byron; nieces and nephews, Doug (Lori) Flohr, Elk Grove, CA, Donna Blake, Oregon, Denise Flohr, Byron, Jim (Debbie) Sohner, Winnebago and Sue Sohner, Rockford; Predeceased by his parents and brotherinlaw, Donald Flohr. The family would like to give special thanks to Northern Illinois Hospice and especially their nurse, Valerie for the wonderful care and concern shown to Bernie and the family. Memorial service at 3:00 p.m. Saturday, October 20, 2012, in Our Master's United Methodist Church with Rev. Dr. Richard Wang and Rev. Sun Hyung Jo officiating. Private inurnment at a later date. Visitation from 2:00 p.m. until time of the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Northern Illinois Hospice & Grief Center, 4215 Newburg Rd. Rockford, IL 61108. Express condolences and share memories at www.fitzgeraldfh.com. The family was assisted by Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, Mulford Chapel, 1860 S. Mulford Road.