Robert Smith

Robert C. "Bob" Smith, 77, a resident of Fort Wayne, passed away at 4:40 a. m. on Monday, June 22, 2015, at his home following an eight month battle with cancer. Mr. Smith was born in Wolf Lake on April 15, 1938, and spent his formative years in Noble County. He was educated at Albion High School, attended St. Francis College, and later graduated from barber college in Indianapolis. Following employment in several barbering positions, he owned and operated Bob's Barber Shop in Fort Wayne for a number of years. He then became a real estate broker for Coldwell Banker Roth Wehrly Graber in Fort Wayne for 41 years, retiring in 2014. During the late 1970's and early 1980's he was also engaged in farming in Green Township. On October 16, 1976 he was married in Fort Wayne to Linda S. Laidig. The couple spent the early years of their marriage in Green Township in Noble County and later moved to Fort Wayne. Bob loved the Lord, and was a member of the Northside Missionary Church in Fort Wayne. In his leisure time he enjoyed participating in antique tractor pulling and also following professional basketball and baseball. The surviving relatives include his wife Linda; his children Tamra (Glenn) Schneider of Portland, Ore., and Robert Smith, Jr. of Grand Island, Fla; a sister Elizabeth "Betty" Bower of Albion; four grandchildren Patrick (Colleen) Richen and Adam (Misty Hill) Schneider, both of Seattle, Wash., Alyssa (Jason) Specht of North Plains, Ore., and Nathaniel Schneider of Eugene, Ore; and a great-grandson Austin Specht. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother Walter Smith; a brother-in-law Robert Bower; and a sister-in-law Marilyn Smith. The loving care and support provided by Visiting Nurse & Hospice was greatly appreciated. Funeral services will be held at 11 a. m. on Saturday, June 27, 2015, at Northside Missionary Church, 736 Lillian Ave., Fort Wayne. Pastor Patrick Ryan will officiate. A meal for family and friends will follow the service at the church. Friends may call at the Sheets & Childs Funeral Home in Churubusco on Friday from 3 to 8 p. m., or at the church one hour prior to the service Saturday morning. Interment will be at 3:30 p. m. Saturday at Christian Chapel Cemetery, Merriam. For those who wish, memorials may be directed to Northside Missionary Church, 736 Lillian Ave., Fort Wayne, IN 46808; or Visiting Nurse and Hospice, 5910 Homestead Rd., Fort Wayne, IN 46814. *************************************************