Dennis “Denny” Gene Smith, 67, of New Paris, died at 11:33 am, Friday, Jan. 23, 2015, at Parkview Regional Medical Center in Fort Wayne, where he had been a patient for 11 days after a short illness.
He was born Sept. 11, 1947, in Goshen to Louis M. and Hilda L. Pfeiffer Smith.
He had lived his lifetime in the Nappanee/New Paris area. Smith was a 1956 graduate of Nappanee High School. He had worked at New Paris Telephone Company from 1968–1984. Smith was on the New Paris Jackson Townships Fire and EMS from 1975–1990. He helped start and served on the New Paris Emergency Service. Smith completed many fire and Emergency service classes. He was an Indiana Certified Emergency Medical Technician and was an American Red Cross Instructor.
He was a member of the Bremen VFW Post 8972, the Nappanee SAL Squadron 154, and Fraternal Order of Eagles 3760 in Syracuse.
Smith married Donna L. Long on Dec. 18, 2004. She survives; along with a son, Michael A. (Kelly) Smith, Bel-Air, Md.; a stepdaughter, Brenda L. Falcon, Syracuse; stepsons, Robert E. Long, Eic L. (Rhonda) Long, both of Syracuse, David M. (Daphne) Long, Virginia; 10 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and a sister, Kay (Ron) Bechler, Goshen.
He was preceded in death by a daughter, Amy Davis; brother, David Smith, and his parents.
Family and friends may call from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2015 at Thompson-Lengacher & Yoder Funeral Home, Nappanee.
Funeral Services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 28 at the funeral home. Burial will be in Bremen Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be given to Jackson Township Fire and EMS.