Kenneth C. Smith, Jr., 72 of Gleason, died Sunday, February 8, 2015, at Aspirus Wausau Hospital.
Ken was born September 16, 1942, in Rhinelander, son of the late Kenneth Smith, Sr. and Cora (Zwaard) Hipke. Ken graduated from Rhinelander High School in 1960. He married Darlene Miller on October 5, 1963 at St. Augustine Catholic Church, Town of Harrison. She survives. Ken worked as a welder for the Lincoln County Highway Department. He was also self-employed as a farmer and logger and drove truck for Marshall Trucking. Ken enjoyed hunting, fishing, and spending time with his grandchildren.
Survivors include his wife, Darlene Smith of Gleason; one daughter, Hayley Graap of Merrill; one son, Brad (Jeanette) Smith of Merrill; two grandsons, Austin and Tanner Graap; one step-granddaughter, Cassandra (Mike) Starr; one great-grandson, Mason Graap; six sisters, Sandy (Hugo) Schoeneck of Rhinelander, Sue Costa of Madison, Sonja (Dave) Belling of Tomahawk, Sally (Jerry) Gilliard of Merrill, Shirley (Larry) Thompson of Eagle River, and Cindy (Keith) Packard of Deerbrook; and many nieces and nephews. Ken was preceded in death by his mother, Cora (Zwaard) Hipke; and his father, Kenneth Smith, Sr.
A memorial service for Ken will be held at 11:00 A.M. Thursday, February 12, 2015, at the Taylor-Stine Funeral Home, Merrill. The family will receive friends beginning at 9:00 A.M. Thursday at the funeral home.
Online condolences may be directed to www.taylorstinefuneralhome.com