Irwin A. Smith Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Irwin A. (Smitty) Smith Irwin was born in 1929 in Brooklyn, N.Y. and passed away at the age of 85. With the outbreak of the Korean Conflict he was called to serve in the military. After 19 weeks of attending the army’s baking school at Fort Meade in Maryland, he was shipped to California to process for shipment to Korea to serve in the Korean War. While stationed at base in Petaluma he met his future wife, Marlene. After 17 months of service in Korea Smitty returned to the U.S. and moved to California and started their family. He eventually in 1982 moved his family to Visalia where he purchased the Hen’s Nest Restaurant followed by the Apple Annies Restaurant chain, where his three children, Wendy, Paul and Larry worked the family business in the day to day operations. In 2002 Smitty was inducted in the California Restaurant “Hall of Fame”. Smitty will always be remembered for his passion of kindness, the great love he had for his children and grandchildren and his love for the restaurant business. He was well known and greatly respected in the community. His family will always remember his quote, “I would rather wear out than rust out”. He is survived by his loving wife, Marlene of 60 years, his three children, Wendy (Bryan), Paul (Sharon), and Larry and his 7 grandchildren, Shane & Joshua Costa, Jeffrey, Zachary and Stephanie Smith; and Chance and Charish Smith. Visitation will be Monday, March 31, 2014 from 4:00-7:00 pm at Salser & Dillard Funeral Chapel, 127 East Caldwell Ave. Graveside Service will be Tuesday, April 1, 2014 at 1:00 pm at Beth Israel Cemetery at 1701 West Belmont Ave. in Fresno. For question regarding Services call Salser & Dillard Funeral Chapel at (559) 635-1144.

Irwin A. Smith

February 1, 1929 - March 26, 2014