Keith Duane “Alex” Smart, 90 of Huntington passed away at 1:34 am on Sunday, July 14, 2019 at Visiting Nurse and Hospice Home. Keith was a 1947 graduate of Lancaster Township High School. He was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church in Huntington, Knights of Columbus, VFW Post 2689, American Legion Post 7, Loyal Order of the Moose Lodge 837 and International Union of Operating Engineers. He was an avid bowler who passed on his love of bowling to his kids and grandkids, and was inducted into the Knights of Columbus International Bowling Hall of Fame in March of 2019. He spent most of his work experience as an operating engineer for LI Griffin and Sons and G & L Corporation. He was the oldest living member of IUOE Local 103 of Fort Wayne.
Keith was a United States Marine, 1st Marine Division, 5th Marine Regiment from 1950-1952 and fought on the front lines in Korea and received a Purple Heart and Korean One Star. He was excited and humbled to be able to go on the Honor Flight to Washington, DC, and he considered it to be one of the most rewarding experiences of his life.
Keith was born on April 13, 1929 in Mt. Vernon, Illinois, the son of Bart A. and Olive (Roach) Smart.
He was united in marriage to Barbara Bickel on March 3, 1951 at St. Mary Catholic Church in Huntington. She preceded him in death on July 30, 1997.
Survivors include six sons: Mike and Cheryl Smart of Columbia City; Dave and Lisa Smart of Huntington; Tom and Trina Smart of Huntington; Nick Smart of Huntington; Greg and Carol Smart of Huntington; Charles and Tina Smart of Stevens Pointe, WI; five daughters: Jean Williams of Columbia City; Kathy Bair of Huntington; Raine and Steve Edington of Huntington; Theresa and Mark Bailey of Huntington; Angie and Ed Tackett of Huntington; two brothers: Leroy and Nancy Smart of Roanoke; B. Allen and Jessie Smart of Huntington; a sister: Mable Weller of Ohio; 32 grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild.
He was preceded in death by two sisters: Marilyn Marzano and Mary Reust.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, July 17, 2019 from 2:00pm- 4:00pm and 5:00pm – 8:00pm with Recitation of the Rosary at 5:00pm at the Myers Funeral Home Huntington Chapel, 2901 Guilford Street, Huntington, Indiana.
Funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, July 18, 2019 at 11:00am with one hour of visitation prior to the service at the St. Mary Catholic Church, 903 N. Jefferson Street, Huntington with Father Tony Steinacker officiating.
Interment will be at the Mt. Calvary Cemetery.
Memorial donations can be made out to Right to Life, Smile Train or Masses all in care of Myers Funeral Home, 2901 Guilford Street, Huntington, IN 46750.
