Bruce W. Smith, age 62, of
Arkdale, Wisconsin died Friday, October 23, 2009 at his home
following a battle with cancer.Funeral services will be
11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, October 27, 2009 at the St. Joseph's
Catholic Church in Friendship, Wisconsin. Father Kurt
Farrell will officiate. Military honors will be presented by
the Adams County Honor Guard.
Visitation will be 4 to 8 p.m. on Monday, with a prayer
service at 7:45 p.m. at Roseberry's Funeral Home and from 10
a.m. until the time of service at the church on Tuesday.
Bruce was
born in Ripon on April 16, 1947 to Floyd and Phyllis Smith.
In 1965 he graduated from Ripon High School. After
graduation, he joined the United States Air Force. He
served at Duty Stations in Illinois, Texas, Alaska, and
Spain. He was a Vietnam Veteran, serving as a crew chief,
refueling aircraft onboard a KC-135 Aircraft out of
Thailand. He was a crew chief on a refueling Air Planes.
After his four years in the service, Bruce went to
Electronic School in Milwaukee and then was hired at
Wisconsin Bell Telephone Company. He worked with Wisconsin
Bell which later became Ameritech until the area was bought
by CenturyTel. He worked for CenturyTel until his
retirement in June of 2008. Bruce married his wife, Rita
Farrell, on June 2, 1973. They moved from Ripon to
Auroraville, WI and had three children. In 2000 they moved
to their home in Big Flats. Bruce loved hunting and
fishing. He belonged to the Berlin Conservation Club. He
also enjoyed camping and spending time with his children and
grandchildren.
Bruce is survived by his wife, Rita; his daughter Apryl
(Ben) Brantley, two sons Lance (Tami) Smith and Aaron Smith;
three grandchildren: Jacob Smith, Madisyn Smith and Owen
Brantley. He is also survived by two brothers: Ronnie (Mary)
Smith and Mark Smith; four sisters: Connie (Gary) Ruge,
Janet (Bill) Crook, Gayle (Terry) Cain and Nedra (Bill)
Smith, and sister-in-law Karen Smith. Also he is survived by
many other extended family and friends. He is preceded in
death by his parents, Phyllis and Floyd Smith, and his
brother Scott Smith.
Roseberry's Funeral Home is assisting the family. Visit
www.roseberrys.com for online condolences and further
information.