Obit: Smith, Richard H. (1938 - 2009)  

Poster: Robert Lipprandt

Email: rloss@bellsouth.net  

Surnames: Cummings, Franck, Griesbach, Hink, Smith, Willger, Zielinski, Zugier  

----Source: The Star News (Medford, Taylor Co., WI), Thursday, July 23 2009, Online Edition  

----Smith, Richard H. (June 27, 1938 - July 18, 2009) 

Richard H. Smith, 71, of Jump River, died Saturday, July 18, 2009 at Memorial Nursing Home in Medford.  

He was born June 27, 1938 in Jump River to the late Merle and Gertrude (Franck) Smith.  

Dick grew up in the Westboro area and attended Westboro schools. After high school, he worked for American Motors in Racine until he was drafted in the Army. Dick served with the 101st Airborne and was honorably discharged on September 19, 1963. 

On September 19, 1964, he married Patricia Hink at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Jump River.  

The couple lived in Winter, until 1969, where Dick and his dad operated a sawmill. The couple moved back to Jump River in 1969 and he continued to operate the sawmill. Dick also farmed, logged and drove truck in his own business, and later for James Cape Co. out of Racine. He retired in 2001. 

Richard, along with others, started the Jump River Fire Department and he served as chief for 12 years. He was also a charter member of the Jump River Lions Club. Richard was vice president and bar manager of the Jump River Community Center and a member of the Democratic Party. Dick enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, snowmobiling and was a "dang good carpenter." 

He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Pat; a daughter, Karen (Ed) Cummings of Jump River; a son, Craig (Beatrice) Smith of Jump River; four grandsons, Ryan Cummings and Derrick, Tyler and Morgan Smith; three sisters, Doris (Bud) Griesbach of Westboro, Viola (Lester) Zielinski of Dorchester and Eleanor (Richard) Zugier of Boyd; and a brother, Vaughn (Amy) Smith of Owen. 

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, July 24 at the Jump River Community Center. Father Gerard Willger will officiate. Burial will follow at Mt. Nebo Cemetery. Friends may call from 10 a.m. until time of services Friday at the Center. 

The Gilman Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements.