PAUL EDMONDSMITZ, 83General Motors LAKELAND - Paul Edmond Smitz, 83, of Lakeland, Florida, went to be with the Lord on Thursday October 4, 2007, from heart failure. Paul Smitz was born in Mishawaka, Indiana, on the 27th. of February, 1924, to Josephine and William Smitz. He attended High School in Kewanee, Ill. He won numerous awards as a student in reading and reporting on various books he had read. As an athlete his cross-country records still exist to this day. He spent most of his youth playing in his beloved Bakers Park. Paul entered military service during World War II, serving with the Navy in the South Pacific. After WWII, Paul moved to Flint, Michigan in 1946, to work for General Motors, where he pursued his engineering degree at GMI. He was a very creative person inventing the first flood proof carburetor for Rochester Carburetors in the 1960's. Paul had the distinction of contributing to many R & D projects. At age 54 after 31 years at GM, he retired and moved to St. Pete, then to Lakeland in 1989. While living in Michigan he belonged to the Masonic Lodge #517 as an 8th degree Scottish Rite Free Mason. He also belonged to the Chicken Plucker's Of America, and the Flint Archery Club. He loved summers at the cottage on the Tobacco River, and primitive camping every fall with his family in the Lucerne area of northern Michigan. Paul loved animals, enjoyed fishing, boating, golfing, and playing cards with his dear friends at Highland Fairways. Paul is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Mary Barlow Smitz, and four devoted children: David L. Smitz and wife Nancy of Fenton, Michigan, Donald L. Smitz and wife Nancy of Valrico, Florida, Paula Smitz Manzardo and husband Rick of Fenton, Michigan, Mark E. Smitz and wife Joette of Valrico, Florida; grandchildren, Becky Smitz Draper and husband Michael of Linden, Michigan, Derek Smitz and wife Kerri of Roscommon, Michigan, Sean T. Smitz of Columbia, Maryland, Kyle S. Smitz and wife Liza of Heidelberg, Germany, Nicole Norvell Duncum and husband Duane of Austin, Texas, Noelle Norvell of Belleair Bluffs, Florida, Danielle Manzardo Osterholzer, MD. and husband Andy of Carmel, Indiana, Joe Manzardo and wife Jennifer of Hamilton, Ohio, Ryan Smitz, Nathaniel Smitz, and Delaney Smitz of Valrico, FL.; great grandchildren Emma and Caitlin Draper, Grant, Dane, and Avery Smitz, Tyler Noelle, Bobby Rush and Benjamin Jay Duncum, Grace Osterholzer, and Macie Manzardo. A memorial service will be held at the Highland Fairways Clubhouse in Lakeland on Tuesday, October 9, 2007, at 11:30 a.m., with Charles Chrisman of First Baptist Church at the Mall, Lakeland, officiating. Internment will follow in Galva Cemetery, Galva, Illinois. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Heart Association.