Merle G. Smith, Sr., 74, of Sheridan, WY passed away at the Sheridan Memorial Hospital on January 6, 2012, following a lengthy illness.

Merle came from a third generation of early pioneer settlers of Wyoming, born to W.H. “Hank” and Ruby King Smith on October 28, 1937 in Buffalo, Wyoming. He attended grade school and high school in Buffalo, Wyoming and graduated from Johnson County High School in 1955. On March 3, 1956 Merle was united in marriage to Frances White at the Wesleyan Methodist Church in Buffalo.

Merle was a truck driver his entire career. In the 1950’s and 1960’s he hauled logs for Shrum Lumber Company in Buffalo. In the 1960’s he drove truck coast-to-coast for Little Audrey’s in Fremont, Nebraska. In the late 1960’s Merle and Frances moved back to Wyoming and he drove for the Sheridan Saw Mill. From 1972 to 1999 Merle worked at Decker Coal Co., in Decker, Montana. He then bought his own logging truck and was self-employed for a few years. Merle retired, but continued to work in the summer months for Hanson Trucking in Buffalo for 10 years. Many winters Merle and Frances enjoyed traveling as snowbirds in Yuma, Arizona. Merle’s hobbies included racquetball, shuffleboard, dancing, hunting with his sons and friends, playing cards and spending time with family. He was a member of Royal Neighbors, the V.F.W., N.R.A., and was a life member of the Elks. Merle and Frances celebrated over 50 years of marriage.

Merle was preceded in death by his parents Hank and Ruby Smith of Buffalo, Wyoming.

He is survived by his wife Frances Smith of Sheridan, daughter Kathy Jean (Larry) Fischer of Ketchikan, Alaska; son Robert of Socorro, New Mexico; daughter Lynda Jo of Sheridan, and son Merle Jr. (Kara) of Cheyenne, Wyoming; sisters Roxanna Nolan from Aurora, Colorado and Carol Erickson of Vancouver, Washington. Merle is also survived by 11 grandchildren, 14 great-grand children, numerous nieces and nephews, and cousins.

Visitation for Merle will be from 5:00 P. M. to 7:00 P. M. Tuesday, January 10, 2012 at Champion Ferries Funeral Home. Funeral service will be 1:00 P. M. Wednesday, January 11, 2012 at Champion Ferries Funeral Home with the Rev. Douglas Goodwin officiating. Interment will be 3:00 P. M. in the Willow Grove Cemetery in Buffalo, Wyoming. A reception for family and friends will be announced at the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Pilots for Christ of Wyoming, PO Box 94, Gillette, Wyoming, 82717 or the Sheridan Senior Center, 211 Smith St., Sheridan, Wyoming, 82801.

‍