Obituary for Wayne Dornis Smithers, Bad Axe, Huron County, Michigan Copyright © 1998 by Amy Parker. This copy contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives. USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be freely used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organizations. ___________________________________________________________________ Colfax Soldier Dies of Wounds Bad Axe, Aug 1--Mr and Mrs Ridley Smithers, Colfax Twp, have been notified by the war dept that their son, Wayne Dornis Smithers, 19 died of wounds received July 7 in France. Besides his parents, he is survived by a brother, Staff Sergt William J Smithers, who is in France or England, and a sister, Miss Donna Mae Smithers, at home. He was born May 21, 1925, in Colfax Twp. He entered the service in Sept 1943 and was home on furlough in February. (Another article also contains the following:) Private Smithers graduated from Bad Axe High School in June 1943 where he was an active memer of the F.F.A. He was inducted into the army on Sept 9, 1943 and trained at Camp VanDorne, MS until Feb 1944 when he was transferred to Camp Breckenridge, KY He left New York April 3, 1944 and landed in England April 19. The last letter which his parents received was writtten on July2. At that time he was somewhere in France in active service. A brother, Sgt William Smithers, is also serving with the invasion forces in France. (Third article) Memorial Tribute for Wayne Smithers Sunday Bad Axe, Aug 25 -- Memorial services for Pfc. Wayne Dornis Smithers, 19, son of Mr and Mrs Ridley Smithers, will be conducted at 2 p.m. Sunday in Colfax Methodist church near here. Rev James Roberts, pastor of Colfax church and Rev. Cornelius Van Dalen, past or of the Pentecosal church, will officiate. Private Smithers died July 7 from wounds suffered in action in France. dz