Mildred “Midge” Evelyn Smith passed away after a fall, on the evening of November 17, 2016, after several years of battling Alzheimer’s.  Midge was 92 years old.

   Midge was born on May 22, 1924 in Cambria, Illinois, the only daughter of George Thomas and Ruth Holly Haug Murphy. Midge moved to Flora, Illinois at age 4.

   Midge was married on January 3, 1942 to Charles “Charlie” C.  Smith in Flora, Illinois.

   Midge played piano and sang as both a soloist and in the Victory Quartet for many years, passing along her love of music to her children.

   As a young woman, Midge worked at Sears, and then worked with Charlie in the John Deere implement business Hayes and Smith in Louisville, Illinois. After they retired in 1978, Midge and Charlie spent many happy years travelling the US in an RV, splitting time between homes in Lake Wales, Florida and Reno, Nevada, until they eventually settled in Reno full time in 2004. The love of travel also extended overseas, eventually including visits to countries in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia.

   Midge was preceded in death earlier this year by Charlie, her husband of 74 years; and also preceding her is a first grandson, Shannon Orel of Flora, Illinois.

   Midge is survived by two children and their families: daughter Sherry Sue Smith-Orel and Gary McGrew of Flora, Illinois, granddaughter Holly Orel Prather and son-in-law Wade Prather, and great grandchildren Shandon and Haydon; a son George Tyler Smith and daughter-in-law Susan Jones of Dubai, UAE, former wife Renée Cummins Smith of Jacksonville, Alabama, granddaughter Jennifer Smith and husband Dustin Springer, granddaughter Stacy Smith, and great grandchildren Adrianna, Trevor and Chloe.

   A simple funeral service was held with immediate family in Reno, Nevada. We request that flowers are not sent to the family. If anyone would like to make a charitable donation in Midge’s name, please make a donation to your local charity, church or cause.

   Midge lived a long and happy life, and she is now reunited with Charlie, which anyone who ever knew them would know is the only place she would want to be. Their incredible love for each other and long lives together was truly a rare and wonderful gift.

 

Obituary courtesy of Mountain View Mortuary