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Elois R. Smith

Elois Ray Smith, 89, of Fishers, IN, and a native of Huntington, IN, died Sunday, Aug. 2, 2009, at 5:57 a.m. at Castleton Health Care in Indianapolis.

Mr. Smith served as a master sergeant in the United States Army during World War II. He worked as a conductor for Erie Lackawanna and Conrail for 27 years, retiring in 1982. He had previously delivered milk for Blackburn Dairy in Huntington.

He was a 62-year member of American Legion Post 7, a lifetime member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2689 of Huntington and a 50-year member of United Transportation Union Local 0298.

He was born Aug. 12, 1919, in Huntington to Chester and Edna Heaston Smith. He married Maxine Wilson on Dec. 31, 1941, in Huntington. His wife survives.

Additional survivors include a daughter, Nancy (Charles Lee) Flaugher, of Fishers; two half-brothers, Delbert Smith, of Van Wert, OH, and Carlos Smith of Goldsboro, NC; a half-sister, Janet Garretson, of Huntington; two grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

A service was held at Bailey-Love Mortuary, Huntington,on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2009, with Rev. Richard Frederick officiating. Burial was at Gardens of Memory Cemetery, with military rites by Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2689.

Pallbearers were Tom Smith, Dennis Wilson, Streve Meier, J.P. Keserich, Mark Smith and Jerry Wilson.

Flag detail was comprised of Jerry Walling and Jerry Helms. Honor guard was Mike Hilton, Dave Rinehart, Dale Howell, Carl Smith and Ralph Miller. Wayne Ashbaugh and Mike Smith performed "Taps," and Ashbaugh handled the cannon.

Preferred memorials are gifts to the Alzheimer's Association in care of Bailey-Love Mortuary, 35 W. Park Drive, Huntington, IN 46750.

To sign the online guest book, visit www.baileylove.com.