Garry D. Smiley, 63, of Peru, passed away suddenly from undetermined circumstances at Dukes Memorial Hospital. He was born to the late Ivan Rex and Betty (Kennedy) Smiley, December 22, 1951 in Peru, Indiana. Garry graduated from Peru High School in 1970. He was married to the love of his life and soul mate, Judy (Aikman) Smiley, shortly thereafter on October 30, 1971. They lived at 303 ½ N. Water St. in Peru less than a year, before moving into their home on Boulevard, where Garry had lived since he was 2. This is the home where all of their children were raised. That home would become HOME CENTRAL where every birthday, holiday, or special event would take place. It may be a small house, but it had the largest group of friends and family, packing in with standing room only. This Easter Sunday was our final holiday with a man that may have stood 5ft. 8 inches tall, but when he was called dad or grandpa he was the tallest man alive.

Garry was a master at his craft; he was a heavy machinery mechanic before retiring on January 31, 2014. He started his career managing the Sinclair filling station on East Main Street in Peru, owned by his father Ivan Rex and uncle Ray Smiley from 1972-1974. From there in 1974 he went to work for Bates and Roger’s Construction Company out of Chicago, IL where he apprenticed under his father. After his father passed away, he went to work for Crider and Crider out of Bloomington, IN in 1987. He spent the remainder of his career working for Crider’s up until he retired.

He thoroughly enjoyed his retirement spending most of his time traveling, going to his grandson’s ball games, working in the garden, tinkering on things in basement, and spending time with his wife and family. Garry was an avid Caterpillar toy collector, he loved going antiquing, and enjoyed all forms of racing especially NASCAR.

He was devoted to two things in his life: his work and his family. He always found joy doing things for his kids and grandkids, and would drop anything he was doing for them. He was his grandson Brayden’s best friend.

Garry is survived by his wife and four children: Judy Smiley (Aikman), of Peru; Lisa Smiley, of Peru; Lora Boggs (Mike), of Peru; Steve Smiley (Chelsey), of Indianapolis; Tracy Binnion (Brady), of Denver, IN. He is also survived by his two grandsons; Brayden Dale, and Bradley Dean Binnion. He was so proud of his kids and grandkids.

Visitation will be at Christian Pilgrim Church located at 512 Monroe Avenue in Peru, IN at 2PM, Saturday, April 11, 2015 followed by a memorial service in celebration of Garry’s life at 3PM. Instead of flowers the family asks that donations be made through Eikenberry-Eddy Funeral Home to Autism Speaks.