Dr. Elmer Lionel John Smith MD

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Elmer passed away in Cottonwoods Care Centre in Kelowna on June 11, 2017 at 95 years of age. Elmer was born in Shackleton, SK on October 2^nd, 1921; the youngest of 12 children. He began his post- secondary education at the U of S in Saskatoon and completed his medical degree at the U of A in Edmonton, AB.

Elmer was married to Verna Rosella Smith on June 1^st, 1948 and had one daughter, Marilynn.  Elmer practiced medicine in the city of Lloydminster, SK/AB from 1950 to 1983. His specialty was Cardiology and Geriatrics after taking Harvard extension courses in Boston and Minneapolis. He was highly respected as a physician among his colleagues and in the community.   Elmer and Verna moved to Kelowna to retire in 1983.

He was predeceased by Verna on July 15, 2015 and his eleven siblings. Elmer is survived by his loving daughter, Marilynn Bottomley (Evan), four grandsons, Mark Bottomley (Lana); Michael Bottomley (Candice); Jay Bottomley (Olivia); Dean Bottomley, 7 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Elmer loved the outdoors. He had a cottage in northern Saskatchewan where he would frequently retreat and spent many hours on the lake looking for the best “holes” for Walleye.

In 1971 Elmer and Verna travelled around the world. He took three months off from his practice and they saw much of Asia, the Middle East and Europe.

While Elmer was known and loved by most people who called him “Doc” (or “Smitty” by his colleagues), he had a variety of avocations. Horticulture and meteorology were his primary hobbies.  In Lloydminster, the radio station announcer would call him and ask for his weekly forecast predictions, given the precipitation and temperature records he had kept since 1950.  When he moved to Kelowna he cultivated one acre of land and planted over 60 fruit trees as well as three different gardens. He loved picking and eating fruit right off the trees.  He also enjoyed working with wood and made many burl tables, clocks and lamp stands.

From his early days as a Doctor, Elmer loved to teach the Bible. As a self-taught theologian, he would gather many around him to study and discuss the Bible even into his last year of life.

Elmer was admitted to the hospital and then transferred to Cottonwoods Care Center for the last four weeks of his life. He was very grateful for the exceptional, compassionate care that he received in both places and previously at Hawthorn Park.

A memorial service will be held on Monday, June 19 at 4:00 pm, with a luncheon to follow at the Springfield Funeral Home Chapel, 2020 Springfield Rd. Kelowna, BC. If desired, donations can be made to Mission Aviation Fellowship Canada (The Neil and Meredith Bittle Fund) http://bit.ly/2rbKof5. If you wish to send a condolence, post photos or share a memory, please scroll down the page to the area called “Share Your Condolences.”

“To be absent from the body is to be at home with the Lord” 2 Corinthians 5:8

THIS SERVICE WILL BE LIVESTREAMED/BROADCAST ON JUNE 19, 2017 AT 4:00 PM

Service Details

The service for Dr. Elmer Lionel John Smith MD is scheduled for Monday, June 19, 2017 at 4:00 pm . Below you will find the map for the service location and the contact information should you have any questions.

Address & Contact for Service Location:

Springfield Funeral Home

2020 Springfield Rd

Phone:

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Special Requests:

None.

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