Kate is an experienced writer who has written hundreds of articles for publication.
Published April 26, 2021
Writing a veteran's obituary is an important task that takes some thought and planning. Whether you are honoring a loved one for his or her service or writing an obituary for a fallen soldier, a template offers a great starting point to create a meaningful and important reminder of a heroic life. With a basic understanding of the process and a veteran obituary template, you will have everything you need to write a special memorial.
Writing a veteran's obituary comes down to a few basic steps. You'll need to gather important information and take some time to think about the person's life. You'll also need to know some things about their military service and possibly conduct some short interviews with family and friends. Here's how to get started:
A veteran obituary template will help you organize your research into a final draft. Using this template is easy. Simply click on the thumbnail to download the editable PDF and then enter the information you have. You'll end up with a complete obituary that is customized to fit the veteran you are honoring. For helping using templates like this, take a look at some tips for using PDF printables.
Leonard Smith, a veteran of World War II and longtime resident of Silver Lake, passed away on March 21, 2021 surrounded by family. Larry, as he was known to many in the area, was born July 12, 1925 to Erik and Vera (Ellis) Smith and attended Silver Lake High School before enlisting in the U.S. Army. As a private, first class for the Army, Larry saw action in Europe, and he had many amazing stories of his time there. He wrote incredible letters home to his future wife, Ella Conner, detailing the antics of his fellow soldiers, the scenery in the area, and a very edited description of the action he encountered.
The U.S. Army recognized Larry for his honorable service with a Purple Heart, specifically for his heroic action at the Battle of Bulge, where he pulled another soldier to safety despite being wounded himself. Larry didn't speak much about this moment or about his time in the Army, but he did proudly march in parades with other veterans and was active in the VFW.
After the war, Larry returned home and married Ella Conner on June 19, 1945. Together, they built a business providing clock and lamp repair to the residents of Silver Lake. After their two daughters were grown, they enjoyed traveling the country in their RV. They also participated in historical reenactments from the war years and organized an annual Memorial Day service to honor local fallen soldiers.
Larry was preceded in death by his wife, Ella, and his parents and siblings. He's survived by his daughters Carol (Butch) Wilson and Ann (Paul) Krauss, as well as five grandchildren and three great grandchildren. His family has organized a memorial service to honor Larry's life and military service, which will be held at the Silver Lake Funeral Home on March 27, 2021 at 3:00 pm.
