1925
Harry
2011
Harry "Chap" W. Smathers
May 20, 1925 — August 28, 2011
Munising
Harry W. "Chap" Smathers, age 86, of Munising, died Sunday, August 28, 2011 at Munising Memorial Hospital. He was born May 20, 1925, in Munising to the late Harry and Myrtle (Florence) Smathers. Chap grew up in McMillan and graduated from McMillan High School in 1943. He entered into the Army Air Corp in July of 1943 and was honorably discharged in 1946 as a Sergeant. After his discharge, Chap enrolled at Michigan Technological University where he earned his Bachelors Degree in Mechanical Engineering. Following graduation, Chap entered into the U.S. Air Force where he completed pilot training in all weather interceptor school. Over his military career he earned both the WWII Victory Medal and Korean Service Medal, he was honorably discharged in October of 1953 as a First Lieutenant. During Chap's summers while at MTU, he captained the "Tiger Lady" cruise boat along the Pictured Rocks from 1947 to 1950. On September 22, 1951 he married Carol Lee Floria at the United Methodist Church in Munising. Chap started working for DOW Chemical and was placed with Processed Plastics in Montgomery, IL where he worked for many years. He was responsible for several U.S. Patents in the plastic industry and beyond. Chap enjoyed electronics and computers, but not just to use them, he would rather build, program, and take them apart. He was also a talented cook and candy maker, and enjoyed spending time with his family.
Chap is survived by his wife of sixty years - Carol of Munising; four children - Deborah (John) Nemanich of Oswego, IL, Rick (Nancy) Smathers of LaGrange, GA, Marc (Robin) Smathers of Racine, WI, and Deirdre Smathers of Suannee, GA; four grandchildren - Michael and Jason Smathers and Pete and Sam Nemanich; cousin - Jane (Sten) Taube of Marquette; sister and brother-in-law - Phyllis (Peter) Disher of St. Peter, MN, and Tom (Terry) Floria of Paragould, AR. He was preceded in death by his parents Harry and Myrtle.
Chap's visitation will be on Saturday, September 3, 2011, from 10:00 until 11:00 a.m. at the United Methodist Church. Rev. Sandra J. Kolder will conduct his memorial service beginning at 11:00 a.m. Committal will be at Maple Grove Cemetery, where the American Legion Honor Guard and Alger County Veterans Council will conduct military honors. In lieu of flowers memorials in Chap's name may be made to the United Methodist Church of Munising, or the Alger County Historical Society.
Harry W. "Chap" Smathers, age 86, of Munising, died Sunday, August 28, 2011 at Munising Memorial Hospital. He was born May 20, 1925, in Munising to the late Harry and Myrtle (Florence) Smathers. Chap grew up in McMillan and graduated from McMillan High School in 1943. He entered into the Army Air Corp in July of 1943 and was honorably discharged in 1946 as a Sergeant. After his discharge, Chap enrolled at Michigan Technological University where he earned his Bachelors Degree in Mechanical Engineering. Following graduation, Chap entered into the U.S. Air Force where he completed pilot training in all weather interceptor school. Over his military career he earned both the WWII Victory Medal and Korean Service Medal, he was honorably discharged in October of 1953 as a First Lieutenant. During Chap's summers while at MTU, he captained the "Tiger Lady" cruise boat along the Pictured Rocks from 1947 to 1950. On September 22, 1951 he married Carol Lee Floria at the United Methodist Church in Munising. Chap started working for DOW Chemical and was placed with Processed Plastics in Montgomery, IL where he worked for many years. He was responsible for several U.S. Patents in the plastic industry and beyond. Chap enjoyed electronics and computers, but not just to use them, he would rather build, program, and take them apart. He was also a talented cook and candy maker, and enjoyed spending time with his family.
Chap is survived by his wife of sixty years - Carol of Munising; four children - Deborah (John) Nemanich of Oswego, IL, Rick (Nancy) Smathers of LaGrange, GA, Marc (Robin) Smathers of Racine, WI, and Deirdre Smathers of Suannee, GA; four grandchildren - Michael and Jason Smathers and Pete and Sam Nemanich; cousin - Jane (Sten) Taube of Marquette; sister and brother-in-law - Phyllis (Peter) Disher of St. Peter, MN, and Tom (Terry) Floria of Paragould, AR. He was preceded in death by his parents Harry and Myrtle.
Chap's visitation will be on Saturday, September 3, 2011, from 10:00 until 11:00 a.m. at the United Methodist Church. Rev. Sandra J. Kolder will conduct his memorial service beginning at 11:00 a.m. Committal will be at Maple Grove Cemetery, where the American Legion Honor Guard and Alger County Veterans Council will conduct military honors. In lieu of flowers memorials in Chap's name may be made to the United Methodist Church of Munising, or the Alger County Historical Society.
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