Richard E. Smika's Obituary
Decatur-Richard E. 'Dick' Smika, 73, of Decatur, passed away at 12:35 a.m. Wednesday, January 19, 2011 at UAMS in Little Rock, Arkansas with his family by his side.
Services to celebrate Dick's life will be 10 a.m. Friday, January 28, 2011 at Graceland/Fairlawn Funeral Home. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. Thursday, January 27, 2011 at the funeral home. Interment will be in Graceland Cemetery. Memorial Contributions may be made to the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF) 383 Main Avenue, 5th Floor, Norwalk, CT 06851. Online memories and condolences may be shared at www.gracelandfairlawn.com.
Dick was born June 10, 1937 in Tulsa, OK, the son of Raymond and Barbara (Block) Smika. He was raised in Shawnee, Ok. He retired from Burke's Pumps where he served as Plant Manager. He was a member of the Central Illinois Corvette Club and the Jazz Society. His passions were his grandkids, boating, corvettes, car shows, golfing, traveling, St. Louis Cardinals, and U of I Basketball.
He married Marjorie (DeJarnette) Roppa April 1, 1972.
He leaves behind Marge his wife of over thirty-eight years, children; Jim (Sheila) Roppa of Morton, IL and Karen Roppa of Joliet, IL, grandchildren; Tony (Jill) Roppa of St. Peters, MO, Gina (Peter) Ihuoma of St. Louis, MO and Dominic (Kara) Roppa of Melbourne, Florida, great-grandchildren; Devynn Roppa, Jace Roppa, Jack Roppa, Sam Weir, Gianna Ihuoma, Steven Peter Ihuoma, Milaan Roppa, and Sienna Roppa, brothers; William 'Bud' (Jeannie) Smika of Lake Forest, CA and Frank (Danielle) Smika of Fullerton, CA, and sister; Linda (Wayman) Cook of Shawnee, OK.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brother; Donald Smika and sister; Marianne Sloat.
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