Erving George Smith

MADISON - Erving George Smith, age 85, died on Monday, June 4, 2012, at Agrace HospiceCare in Fitchburg after a brief illness. He was born on a farm in New Auburn, Wisconsin, the fourth of seven children of Henry and Mary (Black) Smith. After graduating from New Auburn High School and attending the UW-Madison, he married Florence Klingbeil on July 10, 1948. He built a home on the southeast side of Madison and remained there his entire life. He worked at the Oscar Mayer plant for 40 years, and then worked several additional years in residence hall maintenance for the UW Housing Department. Erv was an avid deer hunter, fisherman, rock collector, bird watcher and cribbage player. After retirement he devoted significant time, energy and talent to serving the community, volunteering for the Dane County Parks, Frank Allis School, and with the Oscar Mayer READI group. Erv is survived by his wife, Florence; two daughters, Diana (Dallas) Stenner of Chippewa Falls and Marcia Zimmer of DeForest; a son, George (Anne) Smith of Sun Prairie; grandchildren, Aaron and Jason Stenner, Morgan and Mason Zimmer, and Brian, Jacquelyn and Kevin Smith; and four great-grandchildren. He is also survived by two sisters, Esther (Bill) Kron and Virgine Cloutier; two brothers, Hubert (Mary Ann) and Ray; and many nephews, nieces, other relatives and friends. A memorial service will be held at LAKE EDGE UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST, 4200 Buckeye Road, Madison, at 11 a.m. on Monday, June 11, 2012, with the Rev. Lex Liberatore presiding. Visitation will be held at the church from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service on Monday. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Second Harvest Foodbank, Agrace HospiceCare in Fitchburg, or a charity of choice. Thank you to the dedicated and caring staff at Agrace HospiceCare who took care of Erv during his final days. Erv’s quick wit and unique sense of humor will be missed. He was our dear husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend and will live forever in our memories. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Second Harvest Foodbank, Agrace HospiceCare in Fitchburg, or a charity of choice. Visitation will be held at the church from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service on Monday. A memorial service will be held at LAKE EDGE UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST, 4200 Buckeye Road, Madison, at 11 a.m. on Monday, June 11, 2012, with the Rev. Lex Liberatore presiding.