With deep love, we announce the passing of Gary Dale Smith on September 2, 2026, at the age of 75. Gary passed away peacefully at his home in Bruce, Wisconsin. He was born in DeKalb, Illinois, on March 19, 1951, to Anthony Wayne and Nellie Eliza Smith. Gary grew up in Kingston, Illinois, as one of ten children and graduated from Genoa-Kingston High School. He loved his parents deeply, idolized his father, and never forgot his mother’s cooking, especially her banana cream pie and pasties.

After graduating from high school, Gary enlisted in the United States Navy, where he served during the 1970’s. His time in the Navy gave him plenty of stories that he continued to proudly share throughout his life. After his service, Gary returned to the Kingston and DeKalb County area, where he spent most of his adult life. He worked for many years as a drywall specialist and was known for his meticulous attention to detail in hanging, taping, and finishing. A perfectionist by nature, Gary also loved woodworking, working on small engines, DIY projects and took great pride in anything he built with his own hands.

Gary eventually made his home in Wisconsin, where he could enjoy being close to nature and a little farther away from people. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, football, basketball, NASCAR, and the peace and quiet of country life. He loved his little Chihuahua, LB, dearly, while his Rottweiler, Joe, had a special talent for driving him crazy. Gary was quiet and stubborn, funny and fun-loving, and those who knew him well will undoubtedly remember his sense of humor and the many sayings and jokes he repeated over the years. Two of his favorites were, “Do the best you can with what you got,” and “There’s a right way to do it and a wrong way to do it, and you’re doing it the wrong way.”

More than anything, Gary loved his family. He was especially happy when he was spoiling his grandchildren, Layla and Wyatt, whom he adored with all his heart. He was also a beloved uncle in a very large family. Gary was the kind of uncle his nieces and nephews knew they could call when they needed help, whether that meant bailing them out of jail or buying them a shot at the bar. Gary is survived by his daughter, Charlene, and grandchildren Layla and Wyatt; his stepdaughter, Jessica Fruit, and her children Chandler and Isabella; his brothers Tony, Ron, Mitch, and Bud; his sisters Cindy, Louann, and Nelda; and his many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.

Gary was preceded in death by his parents, Anthony and Nellie Smith; sister Connie; brother Charlie; nieces Janell and Kendall; nephews Robert, Matthew and Ritchie; and his great-nephews Austin and Noah. He leaves behind a very large family, a lifetime of stories, and many people who loved him exactly as he was. He will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered. A memorial service for Gary will be held at a later date in Illinois. In Gary’s own words, “God bless America and all the ships at sea.”

A complete obituary will also be published in the Ladysmith News.