Gerald Clement SMOLKA

27 DEC 1943 - 30 SEP 2016

• BIRTH: 27 DEC 1943, South Bend, IN
• DEATH: 30 SEP 2016, Osceola, St Joseph, Indiana

• MARRIAGE: 11 JAN 1964, St Joseph County IN

1.  Gerald Timothy SMOLKA

• MARRIAGE: 8 APR 1988, Phoenix, Arizona

INDEX

[N8631] Gerald Smolka
Dec. 27, 1943 - Sept. 30, 2016
OSCEOLA - Gerald “Jerry” C. Smolka, 72, of Osceola, passed away in his residence on the morning of Friday, September 30, 2016, surrounded by his loving family. Jerry was born in South Bend on December 27, 1943, to the late Clement and Marie (Bloom) Smolka. On April 8, 1988, in Phoenix, Arizona, he married Sharon Benson. Jerry worked many years at AM General in Mishawaka, retiring after 30 years of service. Jerry is survived by his loving wife of 28 years, Sharon Smolka, along with children, Anita Taylor, Jennifer Smolka and Jeffrey Smolka, and a stepdaughter, Verna (Buddy) Floyd. He was the proud grandfather of 14 and great-grandfather of 11. Jerry is also survived by his siblings, James (Rose) Smolka, Shirley Jones, Nancy Speake, Karen (Bill) Schwartz and Jan (Rob) Zelasko; along with step-siblings, Russell Young, Ida Mercer, and Verna Kline. Jerry was preceded in death by a daughter, Tammie Ann Smolka Weidner; a son, G. Timothy Smolka; a stepdaughter, Carla Kay Cox; and two sisters, Lorraine Urbanski and Delores Wroblewski. Friends may visit with the family on Tuesday, October 4th, in the Bubb Funeral Chapel, 3910 N. Main St., Mishawaka, from 4 until 7:00 PM. Memorial contributions may be made in Jerry's name to either the Ronald McDonald House Charities Inc., 26345 Network Place, Chicago, IL 60673-1263; or to the Hospice Foundation, 501 Comfort Place, Mishawaka, Indiana 46545. Published in South Bend Tribune on Oct. 2, 2016