September 15, 1926 - August 21, 2017

 

LeRoy Smoley
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LeRoy J. Smoley, Sr., 90 of Watkins, passed away on Monday, August 21, 2017 at the Hilltop Health Care Center in Watkins. Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00 a.m. Friday, August 25, 2017 at Assumption Catholic Church in Eden Valley. Fr. Aaron Nett will officiate. Visitation will be from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 24, 2017 at the Ertl Funeral Home in Watkins. Parish prayers will be at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday at the funeral home. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the services at the church on Friday. Interment will be in the Assumption Catholic Cemetery.

LeRoy J. Smoley, Sr. was born on September 15, 1926 at St. Stephen, MN. He was the son of Joseph and Wilhelmina (Huschle) Smoley. LeRoy graduated from Eden Valley High School in 1944. He was drafted in the U.S. Army and was a tank driver, serving 18 months in the Philippine Islands. On October 4, 1949, LeRoy was united in marriage to Jeanette M. Schreiner at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Watkins. LeRoy was employed for 17 years as an aeronautical engineer for Honeywell. He was involved with testing auto pilot systems for guided missiles for NASA on the Apollo Space Craft. In 1969, LeRoy and Jeanette purchased the North Star Station in Hill City which they owned and operated until their retirement. In his retirement, LeRoy enjoyed traveling, hunting and fishing. He especially enjoyed visiting with his family and friends.

LeRoy is survived by his wife, Jeanette Smoley of Watkins; Children, Joseph (Pam) Smoley of Sauk Rapids, Lawrence (Patrice) Smoley of Warsaw, Bonnie (Randy) Groebner of Coon Rapids, John Smoley of Anoka, James (Lori) Smoley of Hill City, Sharon Smoley of Mountain Home, ID, LeRoy Smoley, Jr. of Nisswa; 11 grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren; brother and sister, Richard (Sandy) Barthelemy of Annandale, Marian Skudlarek of Washington; many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Debra Marie as a child; brothers and sister, Casper Smoley, Alice Lobb, Harold Smoley and Jerome Smoley.

The family of LeRoy Smoley would like to extend their appreciation to the excellent staff at the Hilltop Health Care Center and to all the people who came to visit LeRoy during his stay there.

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