Friday, January 24, 2025
George F. Smith
age 81, Wausaukee, passed away after a long struggle with declining health on Tuesday, October 15, 2024, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Green Bay with his wife of 54 years by his side. He was born in Green Bay on August 23, 1943 to the late Norman
and Mildred “Toots” (Mitchell) Smith.
George graduated from Wausaukee High School in 1961 and went on to attend UW-Oshkosh for 2 years. He left college in 1963 to help his father, mother, and sister, JoAnn, run their family-owned business, Smith’s 141 Supermarket, until it was sold in
2012. The store served the community with unspoken values, placing “customer service” as a top priority.
In 1964, he enlisted in the National Guard, where he continued to serve until 1970. He was then united in marriage to Marjorie (Marge) Banaszak on June 13, 1970, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Crivitz, WI. George was a member of St. Augustine Catholic
Church in Wausaukee where he served as an usher for many years.
George kept his daily life full of activities. He was a member on the Marinette County Fire Department and Rescue Squad for 25 years, secretary of the Wausaukee Lions Club, and served as the village constable for 7 years. Growing up, George was active in
sports, and eventually, he became a basketball official for 30 years.
One of George’s passions was serving the county as the Marinette County Coroner. He began as Deputy Coroner in 1975 for 11 years then was elected in 1986 where he served as Marinette County Coroner for 33 years before retiring in 2019. He took much pride in his work, being professional and compassionate to the families in their loss.
In George’s earlier years, he sponsored and bowled on the Smith’s 141 Supermarket Bowling Team. The team traveled to compete in Las Vegas, Reno, and Florida, where they took part in National Bowling Tournaments. George and his teammates created and enjoyed many great memories together.
George could often be found in the gym or on any sports field, “silently” cheering on his children or grandchildren at their sporting events through their high school and college years. When George was younger, he would enjoy deer hunting season and as his own sons grew older, he shared his love of hunting with them.
Later in life, George enjoyed being a snowbird with Marge and spending his winters in Fort Myers, Florida. Here he would golf, enjoy time with old friends and new, and spend quality time with family before heading back to Wisconsin. He took much pride in his home, always giving special attention to his lawn. You could find him every Thursday on his riding lawnmower, wearing his maroon jacket, sunglasses, and sunhat.
George is survived by his loving wife, Marge; five children: Todd, Michael, Kerri (Bryan) Vande Hei, Ryan, and Michelle (Carl) Treankler; eight grandchildren; three great grandchildren; two brothers and two sisters: JoAnn Schlies, Norma (Jim) Dyer, Gary
(significant other, Heidi) Smith, and Richard (Barb) Smith. He is further survived by numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his brother-in-laws, David Schlies and Thomas Sprader, brother and sister-in-law, Dr. Frank and Angeline
Vedelago, and grand-daughter, Ashten Treankler.
Visitation will be held at Roubal Funeral Home in Wausaukee from 3pm until 7pm on Friday, October 25 th , 2024, and will continue at St. Augustine Catholic Church on Saturday, October 26 th , from 9am until 10:45am with the Mass of Christian Burial at 11am. Fr. James Neilson, O.Praem and Fr. Dave Schmidt will officiate. Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery, Wausaukee.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations can be made to The American Diabetes Association or American Heart Association.
The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you and appreciation to the staff and medical teams at St. Vincent Hospital and Wound Clinic, St. Clare Rehab Hospital, Rennes Health and Rehab West in Peshtigo, and St. Mary’s Hospital. Your care for
George has meant the world to all of us and we will forever be grateful to you all.
Roubal Funeral Home in Wausaukee is assisting George’s family with arrangements.
