Gerald D. Smalley

Gerald D. Smalley, 87, of rural Claypool, Beaver Dam Lake passed at 12:15 pm, Friday, August 20, 2021 at his residence. Gerald was born on Nov. 25, 1933 in Burket, Indiana to the late Donald D. and Minnie (Sands) Smalley. He married on Oct. 7, 1956 in Atwood, Indiana to Sherry S. Parks, she survives. He was a 1951 graduate of Beaver Dam High School. Gerald was known for many things. He was a former bus driver for Tippecanoe Valley Schools. He was a familiar face at the Livestock Auctions at Shipshewana and Topeka for over 38 years. He served his community as a Kosciusko Commissioner for 10 years as well as a 12years Director of the Kosciusko REMC. Gerald was an over 60 year member of the Beaver Dam United Methodist Church. He enjoyed 4-H and served as Leader for many years. He also was known for having exotic animals. It was not uncommon to see zebras or other less common livestock around his farm. With all of the talents and interests he had, most people would not know the struggle he had with Polio as a child. He never forgot that battle, so for many years he regularly met with a group of Polio survivors in Warsaw. He is survived by his wife of 65 years Sherry Smalley of Claypool, daughters Tammy Horn and Brant Nellans and Cara and husband Mark Kissell, son Gary and wife Deb Smalley, 7 Grandchildren,9 Great Grandchildren, sister Linda and husband Mitch Tucker, and brother Wayne and wife Shirley Smalley. Gerald was preceded in death by his parents and a son-in-law Timothy Horn. The funeral service will beheld at 10:30 am, Monday, Aug. 23, 2021 at the Beaver Dam United Methodist Church 9798 W. 1000 S. Akron, Indiana with Pastor Butch Troke officiating. The interment will take place in the Nichols Cemetery near Akron, Indiana. Visitation hour will be from 2pm to 6 pm, Sunday, Aug. 22, 2021 at King Memorial Home, Mentone, Indiana. Donations can be made in Gerald’s memory to the Beaver Dam Church/Wheels on Fire to assist the community members who are fighting cancer or to the Beaver Dam Church Youth or Nehemiah Vision Ministries with the memo line saying “Intern #3” which helps Brooke Smalley in Haiti.

Gerald D. Smalley

November 25, 1933 - August 20, 2021