Kerry R. Smith, 59 years old of Poe, Indiana, passed away on Friday, November 18, 2011 at his residence. Kerry was an inspiration to many having been an eighteen year survivor of brain cancer. He was born on Monday, June 2, 1952 in Fort Wayne, Indiana the son of the late Ross W. Smith and Doris J. Elzey. He married Karla S. Myers on April 11, 1980 in the Poe United Methodist Church. Kerry was a member of the Hope United Methodist Church in Hoagland and was on the Poe Volunteer Fire Department. He was a farmer and employed by Water Furnace International in Fort Wayne. Kerry was a loving husband, father to his two daughters and son in-laws, grandfather, and son. His smile was contagious, as was his love for practical jokes. Kerry's favorite pastime was being with his family and friends. He was grateful to meet his first grandchild, Gunnar, who was born on Father's Day. Kerry enjoyed watching Colts football and NASCAR. He will be greatly missed by many. Surviving are his wife, Karla Smith of Poe, Indiana; daughter, Melanie (Jeremy) Dearringer of Carmel, Indiana; daughter, Stacey (Randall) Baker of Poe, Indiana; mother, Doris Schlaudraff of Hoagland, Indiana; grandson, Gunnar Dearringer of Carmel, Indiana and two sisters, Jackie & Sue. He is also survived by his in-laws; Mike & Sue Hosier, Tim & Denise Myers, Dick & Lynne Noack, Mike & Rose Myers and Gene & Brenda Reynolds and two special friends; Murl Keidel and Shawn Kendregan. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, November 23, 2011 in the Hope United Methodist Church with Pastor Stacy Downing officiating. Interment will follow in the Williamsport Cemetery in Poe, Indiana. Friends will be received from 1 to 4 p.m. & 5 to 8 p.m., Tuesday, November 22 in the Zwick & Jahn Funeral Home, Decatur and one hour prior to the service at the church on Wednesday. Preferred memorials are to Hope United Methodist Church or the Visiting Nurse & Hospice Home located on Homestead Road in Fort Wayne.
