Elmer Vernon Smith

  General Notes:

His birth is listed as Oscar Vernon Smith in the Blackwell Family Bible.

The WWI Draft Registration Card for Elmer Vernon. Smith records his birth date as May 27, 1899. He is currently a student and is living with his father at 545 Jefferson Street, Gary, Indiana. His physical description is tall in height and medium build with blue eyes and blond hair.

The 1930 Federal Census for Gary, Lake Co., Indiana, District 2 records Elmer V. (30 - Indiana/NC/NC) and Hazel B. (30 - IN/IN/IN) Smith living at 557 Carolina Street. Elmer is an Insurance Salesman and Hazel is a public school teacher. They have been married for 5 years.

Vernon's nickname was "Deak," short for Deacon, a moniker earned in his youth for reasons unknown.
Vernon worked in the steel mills of Gary, Indiana, before moving to Franklin and being co-owner of Turney's Shoe Store on Main Street, along with his brother-in-law, Bob Tranter. They changed the name to Smith and Tranter. When Vernon bought out Bob's half of the business, it became Smith's Shoe Store. Hazel and Vernon worked side-by-side, making a good living. Their home was at 1021 E. King Street.

After retirement, Vernon and Hazel moved to Lehigh Acres, Lee Co., Florida. There Vernon drove his golf cart to the links daily while Hazel tended to her colorful garden and had frequent bridge parties. After Hazel's death, Vernon was contacted by an old friend from high school, Ethel Teeple. They were married in 1971 and Vernon moved back to Gary, which was her home. Although Vernon continued to call Ethel "Hazel" by mistake, she loved him dearly and took excellent care of him till his death from the effects of arteriosclerosis. She died a few months later. Vernon was a good man and a kind-hearted soul who is missed by all who knew him. His son, E.V., calls him, "The finest man I ever knew."

Elmer married Hazel Bundy circa 1925. (Hazel Bundy was born on 17 Oct 1899 in Indiana and died on 27 Mar 1971 in Lehigh Acres, Lee Co., Florida.)

Elmer next married Ethel May Teeple on 4 Aug 1971 in Lee Co., Florida. (Ethel May Teeple was born in Sep 1899 in Lincoln Township, St. Joseph Co., Indiana and died circa 1974 in Gary, Lake Co., Indiana.)

  Marriage Notes:

E. Vernon Smith marries Ethel May Teeple (Kramer) / Marriage Date: 4 Aug 1971 County of Marriage: Lee Maiden Name: Teeple Volume: 3088 Certificate: 046360 Source: Florida Department of Health