Ethan L. Smith

1995 - 2017

Smith, Ethan L.

Ethan Lee Smith, age 21, of Vesper was unexpectedly taken too soon on Thursday, August 24, 2017, due to an automobile accident.

A Life Celebration will take place at 11:00 A.M. on Monday, August 28, 2017, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Vesper. Pastor Doug Schalow will officiate. Burial will take place in Trinity Lutheran Cemetery in the Town of Hansen. Visitation will be from 4:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. on Sunday at Herman-Taylor Funeral Home and again at church from 10:00 A.M. until time of services on Monday.

Ethan was born September 24, 1995, in Marshfield, WI, to Jeanette Smith and Brian Gengler. He graduated in 2014 from Lincoln High School. Ethan's first job was working at Winch Oil in Vesper, where his fun-loving attitude and deliciously cooked Chester Fried Chicken was sure to make you smile. Ethan was currently employed for the past 2 years by Marshfield Doors.

He will always be remembered for his fun, loving and courageous attitude, his infectious smile, always making things more fun, and his talent and love for guitars. His love of music was great; he enjoyed listening to classic rock bands from AC/DC and Led Zeppelin to grunge and punk ska bands like Nirvana and Sublime. He loved to eat pizza rolls, Checkers triple cheeseburgers and jelly-filled donuts. He enjoyed spending time with family and friends outdoors or around camp fires. Ethan's favorite holiday was Halloween. He was able to attend "Northern Invasion" in Somerset, WI and was planning on taking a trip to Germany to spend a month with family friends. He lived for new experiences and adventure.

Ethan is survived by his mother, Jeanette (Gary) Shirek of Vesper; father, Brian (Cristina) Gengler of Wisconsin Rapids; siblings: Tori (Jeremiah) Peterson of Vesper, Brittany (Anthony) Vollert of Vesper, Tonya Hause of Red Granite, Nicholas Hause of Stevens Point, Amanda Oligney of Wisconsin Rapids, Lisa Shirek of Amherst, Matthew Oligney of Rudolph and Amy Vang of Stevens Point; nieces and nephews: Natalie, Noah and Nicholas Peterson, Abigail and Scarlett Vollert, Clarice Blackhawk, and Dion Quinones; grandmothers: Marlene Gengler and Betty Smith; godmothers: Tracey Huber and Tami Haas; and many other family members and special dogs, Harley and Mugzi.

He is preceded in death by his grandfathers: Peter Gengler and Carl Smith Jr.; step-grandmother: Tillie Shirek; Aunt: Ruth Dancyzk and Uncle: Frank Shirek.

Herman-Taylor Funeral Home is honored to be serving the family in this difficult time. Online condolences may be expressed at www.taylorfuneralhome.net.