EAST BEND - Mr. Donald Elbert Smitherman, 82, of East Bend died Thursday, Aug. 5, 2004, at Yadkin Nursing Care Center. He was born in Yadkin County on Dec. 3, 1921, to Hobert and Eva Hutchens Smitherman. Mr. Smitherman was a member of Friendship Baptist Church. Mr. Smitherman was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He served in the U.S. Army from April 4, 1940, to July 18, 1945. During World War II, he was stationed in the Philippines, Australia and Panama in the medical field hospital as a staff sergeant. Mr. Smitherman received the Asiatic Pacific Theatre Campaign medal with one Bronze Service Star, an American Defense Service Medal with one Bronze Service Star, Philippines Liberation Ribbon with one Bronze Service Star, and American Theater Campaign. He was retired from R.B. Deal Construction Co. Mr. Smitherman was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Olive Dale Davis Smitherman on July 27, 2004; a grandson, Adam Ross Smitherman; two brothers, John Allen Smitherman and Joseph Smitherman; and two sisters, Queen Smitherman Lawson and Nancy Smitherman Miller. Surviving are his children, Rick (Barbara) Smitherman of East Bend, Danny (Fran) Smitherman of Boonville and Wanda (Tim) Burgess of Hamptonville; eight grandchildren, Candy (Kent) Shumate, Rodney (Jennifer) Smitherman, Joshua Smitherman, Krystina Koehler, Karen Koehler, Alison Burgess, April (David) Brown and Amanda (Shane) Adams; seven great-grandchildren, Miah Smitherman, Annah Smitherman, Norah Smitherman, Stephanie Brown, Stephen Brown, Kirsten Smitherman and Adam Smitherman Jr.; a sister, Gladys Ann (Everette) Butner of Rural Hall; a sister-in-law, Stacy Smitherman of East Bend; and a brother-in-law, Harvey Miller of Courtney. The funeral service will be conducted at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 8, at Friendship Baptist Church, with the Rev. Kent Hogan and the Rev. Ray Davis officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery with military honors conducted by Yadkin VFW Post 10346. The family will receive friends from 6:30 to 9 p.m. today, Aug. 7, at Huff Funeral Home in East Bend. Memorials may be made to Friendship Baptist Church, 4744 Siloam Road, East Bend, NC 27018. The family would like to express their sincere appreciation and thanks for all the prayers, support and kindness shown during his illness and a special appreciation to Yadkin Nursing Center.