Merle George Smith

Merle Smith, 83, passed away on November 12, 2010 in Everett. Merle was born in Marysville, Washington May 27, 1927. He is survived by his wife Dorothy, his three children Dianna Veleke (Kevin), Gary Smith, Gail Hanlon (Michael), five grandchildren, Brandon, Morgan and Jeron Veleke, James and Alex Hanlon.

Merle’s grandfather was a pioneer of Snohomish County and homesteaded in Marysville. Merle’s early childhood years were spent at Pyscht and Clallan Bay where his father logged and built roads in the area. His family later moved to Fobes. The family had a store and Shell service station at Fobes. During his Snohomish High School years, he worked at Boeing Field. Upon graduation in 1945, he entered the Navy.

After returning home from the service, he attended Everett Junior College and then completed college at Washington State College in May 1950 with a B.A. in Hotel and Restaurant Administration. While at WSC, Merle and friends started Sigma Phi fraternity where he became charter president. On December 16, 1950, Merle married his college sweetheart, Dorothy Mae Thiebes.

Merle worked with his father at their Shell service station on Hewitt and Pine. In 1961, Merle moved his family to Monroe where he became owner of the Shell Oil distributorship. After nine years he sold the distributorship and opened Smitty’s, a small convenience store on Highway 2 and operated it until 1983. In 1985 Merle got his real estate license and became a broker agent in the area until his 2008 retirement.

Merle became ill with heart problems in January 2010. In his earlier years he loved to hunt, fish, play poker and golf with friends. Merle loved people and was a fine businessman. All his life he always placed service to others first in his transactions. Merle was a Mason and a member of the Nile Temple Shrine. The entire family is grateful to the caregivers at Bethany Providence and emergency care Providence Cardiac at Broadway.

Arrangements under the direction of Purdy & Kerr with Dawson Funeral Home, Monroe, WA.