Ed “Poppy” Smith, 70, of Syracuse, and Bonita Beach, Fla., died following an extended illness May 27, 2022.
He was born June 26, 1951, in Bluffton, to Max and Lorraine (Soucy) Smith. They preceded him in death.
He is survived by his wife, Cheryl Smith of Syracuse; two sisters; Deb (Mark) Clark and Amy (Doug) Dunwiddie, both of Bluffton; stechildren, Stephanie (Tod) DeBolt of Millersburg, and Randy (Michelle) Smith of Syracuse; step-grandchildren, Krista Parker of Ligonier, and Ashley (Jaren) Kilian of South Bend; Becca, Carson and Anderson Smith, of Syracuse; stepgreat-grandchildren, Remington Parker, of Goshen, and Abby and Aidan Kilian of South Bend. He is also survived by a large family of loving nieces and nephews; Lisa Bowman, Wendy (Joey) Hendricks of Fort Wayne, Kyle Clark of Cincinnati, Ohio, and Lauren (Matthew) Prible of Bluffton; and great-nieces and nephews, Jessica, Alex, and Rowen Hendricks of Fort Wayne, Cassidy Peterworth of Cincinnati, and Gretchen and Andi Prible of Bluffton.
He was a 1969 Bluffton High School graduate and attended Ball State University from 1969-1971. He was employed by Ellenberger Brothers Auctioneers and Realtor of Bluffton for 30 years, managing their Fort Wayne office and was a part-time real estate broker with Todd Realty of Syracuse. He also greatly enjoyed working as the bar manager at Pie Eyed Petey’s and the marina on Tippecanoe Lake.
Poppy spent nearly 70 summer seasons at his beloved Tippecanoe Lake with so many special friends and family. He hosted and sang karaoke in the Syracuse area for more than 10 years and spent his winters in Bonita Springs, Fla., with his wife Cheryl.
He was a lifetime member of Bluffton Elks Lodge 796, and Goshen VFW Post 985. He was also a member of Bluffton Moose Lodge 202, Syracuse Fraternal Order of Eagles 3760, and Sons of the American Legion Syracuse Post 223.
There will be no services or visitation, but a celebration of life will be held at Syracuse Fraternal Order of Eagles (Eagles Nest) 12889 N. Kern Road, Syracuse, on Tuesday, June 7, from 4 to 7 p.m. To honor his love of Indiana sports, attendees may wear the shirt of their favorite Indiana university.
Memorials in his name may be given to the Kosciusko County Cancer Care Fund: www.k21foundation.org/cancer
Eastlund Funeral Home Syracuse, handled arrangements.