Friends, classmates band together to raise funds for final expenses of Army veteran Wesley Smith
(Talk of the Town photo provided) Family and friends are hosting a fundraiser to cover the final expenses of Army veteran Wesley Smith, below, on April 30.
By Jennifer Zartman Romano
Friends and classmates of the late Wesley Smith are still coping with his death which occurred less than a month ago, but hoping to do something positive in his memory.
Smith was a 25-year-old soldier who recently returned from a tour of duty in Iraq and died tragically several weeks ago after returning to the United States. 
To help his family with Smith's final expenses, friends and classmates are planning a hog roast, cornhole, silent auction and concert by Huckleberry Blue on April 30 beginning with a cornhole tournament at 3 p.m. Food will be served from 5 to 7:30 p.m. The Huckleberry Blue concert begins at 7 p.m.
The event will be held at the Whitley County Shrine Horse Patrol Grounds, located on North SR 9, just north of Columbia City.
Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for children 10 & under.
To participate in the cornhole tournament, registration is $20 per pair.
A beer tent will be open and admission is $12 for a wrist band. On site camping is available, but coolers will not be permitted.
A silent auction is being planned as well. If you have any items to donate to the silent auction please contact Jake VanVoorst at 260-609-7874 or Angela Hoffman via email at angelajhoffman@gmail.com. Donated items must be received prior to 7 p.m. on Friday, April 29.
The son of Duane A. and Diana E. (Clark) Smith, he was a 2004 graduate of Columbia City High School. He was united in marriage to Caroline Cripe in 2010.
Smith enlisted in the United States Army served in Iraq, and was stationed in Indianapolis and most recently El Paso, Texas.
"Those who know him best said that although he did return from his tour in Iraq, a large portion of his sprit did not return with him," a friend stated.