Sherman Eugene "Lennie" Smail

Sherman Eugene (Lennie) Smail passed away on Sunday April 23 at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Williamsport, IN.

Lennie was born February 16, 1925 in Covington, IN to Sherman and Lennie Leon Smail. He married Virginia Mae James on June 8, 1946.  She preceded him in death on January 10, 2014.  Lennie is survived by his son James Michael Smail and a daughter Rebecca (Ken) Baker and 6 grandchildren, Joshua Parkhurst, Heather Robertson, Taryn Shields, Sara (Curtis) Morgan, Kendra (Casey) McClure and Drew (Sandy) Smail.  There are 11 great grandchildren, Gage Parkhurst, Chloe Shields, Jacob Shields, Zach Robertson, Haley Robertson, Madisyn Morgan, Kaleb Parkhurst, Lilly McClellan, Patrick, Audrey and Callan McClure.  He is also survived by a brother, William L. Smail, of Covington and a sister, Anita Kronst of Bourbonnais, IL., also a Brother-in-law, Jerry (Carolyn) James.  He was preceded in death by his parents, three sisters and a granddaughter.

Lennie graduated from Covington High School in 1943. He and his brother Bill joined the Army in July of 1943.  He was sent to California to the 832nd Anti-Aircraft Company and was transferred to the 201st Infantry at Camp Carson in Colorado.  He was then transferred to Camp Atterbury, Indiana, to Company A, 424th Infantry Division.  In September 1944 he was sent overseas to the European Theater.  He represented his country at the Battle of the Bulge in 1944 and 1945 where he was wounded and received two purple hearts.  He was discharged in November of 1945 as a Staff Sergeant.

He worked at General Electric in Danville, IL following the service and later was employed at Olin Mathison (Flexel) from which he retired. He proudly served the city of Covington in three capacities, with the Covington Police Department, as Councilman and Mayor.  Lennie liked his music.  He and his brother Bill were members of the SPEBSQSA organization for over 50 years.  He was recently awarded for his 50 year membership by the Vermilion Chorus.  He loved getting together with his Barbershop friends every week to bust a chord.  He and brother Bill refereed basketball and football for years and were known throughout the area as The Smail Brothers.  Lennie also did duty behind the plate as an umpire in the many leagues.  He coached Little League and Pony League baseball.  He was a member of the VFW, American Legion, ELKS, Covington 4th of July Group, Apple Fest and the 1st Church of Christ.  Lennie was an avid Cubs fan and attended and followed Trojan basketball.

Visitation will be Thursday April 27, 2017 from 4:00 to 7:00 P.M. EDT at Shelby Funeral Home of Covington, IN. Funeral Service will be held at 1:00 P.M. on Friday in Shelby Funeral Home with Tom Hunter officiating and Burial in Mt. Hope Cemetery with Military Graveside Rites. The family requests memorials be made to the Covington High School Athletic Department, with envelopes available at the Funeral Home. Condolences to the family at www.shelbyfuneralhome.com

Shelby Funeral Home

Shelby Funeral Home