Jerome A. "Romie" Smith, age 87 years of South Third Street in Niles, Michigan and former long-time resident of Chicago, Illinois died at 7:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 23, 2012 at his home in Niles following an extended illness.

He was born on June 20, 1924 in Chicago to Joseph T. and Sidney M. (Gibson) Smith and attended school in Chicago. He served in the United States Army during World War II, and saw action in the Asiatic Pacific Theater at the Battle of Bougainville. He was Honorably Discharged as a Veteran of World War II. He was employed for more than thirty years by the Chicago Public Schools as a mechanical engineer. He has lived in Niles, Michigan since 1986.

In Chicago, Romie had been a member of the Mount Carmel CM.E. Church. He was also active in veteran's organizations such as the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He enjoyed listening to Jazz, and had an extensive collection of recordings. He was a fan of professional football, especially the Oakland Raiders. Romie also had a great appreciation for automobiles, and was proud to drive a black Buick Park Avenue.

Romie was preceded in death by his parents, and by six brothers.

Left to mourn his passing are his surviving family which includes his son, Jerry Franklin of Chicago; grandchildren, Dessire Franklin, Sabrina Franklin, and Jason Franklin; a great-grandchild; a special friend, Elizabeth Fair of Chicago; and his sister, Betty Owens of Niles, Michigan; many nieces and nephews; and a wide circle of friends in both Chicago and Niles.