R. Wayne Smith

R. Wayne Smith, 90, of Sullivan, formerly of Bethany, passed away at 3:57 p.m. Sunday, April 5, 2020, in St. Mary’s Hospital in Decatur.
Private family services will be held Thursday, April 9. Burial will be in Marrowbone Twp. Cemetery in Bethany. Reed Funeral Home in Sullivan is in charge of arrangements. A Celebration of Life service will be held at a later date.
Mr. Smith was born July 31, 1929, in Bethany, a son of Fredrick D. And Jeanette Pearl Sporleder Smith. He was a member of Bethany Free Methodist Church and a U. S. Army veteran. Wayne owned R. Wayne Smith Construction in Sullivan, and the homes and cabinets he built may be found across the county. Wayne had a lifelong love affair with travel, beginning just after high school when he and several friends traveled across the western United States by car, sleeping along the road and seeking out adventures. As a family man, these adventures were tempered by pop-up campers and a travel trailer, and a well-worn copy of Good Sam’s campground guide. Wayne visited most of the national parks in the United States but had a special fondness for Yellowstone which he visited almost annually after his retirement. When not on the road to some far-off park, he spent summer weekends at Wolf Creek where he demonstrated persistence (if nothing else) as a fisherman. Wayne married Yvonne Merold August 27, 1950 in Bethany, and she preceded him in death January 8, 2017.
Survivors include his daughter Vanessa (Michael) Zimmer of Roy, Utah; granddaughter Krista (Scott) Moll of Lafayette, Ind.; sister Norma Jean (Tom) Standerfer of Sullivan and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, daughter Teresa Henderson and sister Marjorie Sanner.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the National Park Foundation. (https://donate.nationalparks.org/page/23790/donate/1?chain)
Online condolences may be sent to the family at reedfuneralhome.net.[/s2If]