Edward J. Smith

Edward J. Smith, 89, passed away on Friday, December 6, 2024, at his residence at the Terraces of Bonita Springs. A former resident of Arlington Heights, IL, he has lived in Bonita Springs for the past 35 years. He was born on August 1, 1935, in Gary, IN, the son of the late Bernard Nathan and Helene Lynch. At an early age, Ed was adopted by Willian Smith, a Chicago police officer. After graduating high school, Ed did his undergraduate studies at Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti, where he received his Bachelor’s degree; he then received his Master’s degree in marketing from Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo. Ed worked through college as a grocery store butcher and then began his career in sales with Anaconda Copper. He then worked in the pharmaceutical industry for Burroughs, Welcome, which later became part of Pfizer. He then worked in home construction but left there for Berg Electronics, where he worked for 6 years. In 1971, Ed ventured into manufacturing. He and his late wife Shirley began manufacturing continuous chain terminals for the appliance industry in their garage. The venture became Termax Corporation, which eventually provided Ed’s family with a living. He retired in 1998 and sold the company to his two sons. He is survived by his daughter, Marcella M. Marcel of Bonita Springs, FL; son, William R. Smith and his wife, Janita of Bonita Springs, FL; daughter-in-law, Kelly Smith of Palatine, IL; half-sister, Karen Bernard Kantor of New Jersey; 14 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Shirley Janet Rutz Smith, his son, Michael W. Smith, and two grandchildren, Jamison Michael Smith and Allison Marie Smith, as well as his half-sister, Susan Rosemann. The family will receive friends on Thursday, December 12, 2024, from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Shikany’s Bonita Funeral Home, 28300 Tamiami Tr. So., Bonita Springs, FL. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM with Rev. Russ Winn of the Spring Church officiating. Entombment will follow at Naples Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in his memory may be made to the Springs Church of Bonita Springs, P.O. Box 3279, Bonita Springs, FL 34133. To sign his guest register or to leave online condolences, please visit www.ShikanyFuneralHome.com. Arrangements are being handled by Shikany’s Bonita Funeral Hom,e Family Owned and Operated Since 1978.

Edward J. Smith

August 1, 1935 - December 6, 2024