Gerald "Curly" M. Smith, age 92, of Oshkosh, formerly of Omro, died peacefully on Monday, December 10, 2012, at Evergreen Retirement Community in Oshkosh.
He was born February 5, 1920, in Fond du Lac County, to the late Frank and Blanche (Murray) Smith. Gerald attended the Oshkosh State Teachers College. He farmed in Eden and in the late 40s he moved to Omro and ran the Omro Hardware Store. On May 8, 1948, Curly married Mavis Veith Basel at St. Mary Catholic Church in Omro, and they made their home in Omro until May 14, 2008, at which time they moved to Evergreen Retirement Community in Oshkosh. Gerald went back into farming and for many years farmed in Winnebago County, then became a machinist, and later a real estate broker until his retirement. He was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church in Winneconne, was active with St. Vincent DePaul in Oshkosh, and laid the groundwork for the Omro Thrift Store and saw it through. Curly was an avid, enthusiastic supporter of Omro High School sports teams.
Gerald is survived by three sons and two daughters-in-law, Larry and Sandy Basel, of Roscoe, Illinois; Dan and Paula Smith, of Gilmer, Texas; Jim Smith; two daughters and one son-in-law, Kate and Tom Griffith, of Vancouver, Washington; Carol Curler, of Eagle River; fifteen grandchildren; and twenty-five great-grandchildren.
Along with his parents, Curly was also preceded in death by his wife Mavis on October 14, 2010; one daughter, Joan Galetka; and one great-granddaughter, Peyton Curler.
A funeral Mass will be held on Friday, December 14, 2012, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Mary Catholic Church, 210 Pleasant Drive, Winneconne, with Fr. Doug LeCaptain and Sr. Pam Biehl officiating. Burial will be in the Sacred Heart Cemetery, Oshkosh. A visitation for family and friends will be on Thursday, December 13 from 3:00 to 6:30 p.m. at Mueller Funeral Home, 904 E. Main St. Winneconne, where a Rosary will be prayed at 6:30 p.m. Visitation will continue on Friday at the church from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the Mass.
Memorials have been established for Evergreen Retirement Community, and St. Mary Catholic Church, Winneconne.
Curly's family wishes to thank the caring staffs of Evergreen Retirement Community and St. Mary Catholic Church, Winneconne for all of the concern and support shown to him.
Please submit online condolences to muellerfuneralhomeinc.com

Mueller Funeral Home
Winneconne
(920) 582-4242