Earl Ray Smothers, Sr.

Earl Ray Smothers, Sr., 76, of Goshen, died Friday afternoon, October 13, 2006, at Courtyard of Goshen Nursing Center where he had been a resident since 1994.   He was born on March 4, 1930 in Lebanon, Kentucky, to James Thomas and Della Mae (Cox) Smothers.   Mr. Smothers worked at Proof Company, Goshen Churn and Ladder, and as a mechanic in a gas station.   He is survived by two daughters, Marilyn (David) Martin of Middlebury, Indiana, and Vicky (Mike) Laws of Goshen, Indiana; four sons, Earl R. (Kathy) Smothers, Jr. and Walter Stanley Smothers, both of Goshen, James D. (Sandy) Smothers of Oakridge, Tennessee, and Tony (Betty) Smothers of Connersville, Indiana; 21 grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren.    He was preceded in death by a daughter, Peggy Jean Smothers, two granddaughters, Nicky Jean Lloyd and Christie Love Smothers, and two sisters, Kathleen Kershaw and Evelyn Skaggs.   Friends will be received 4 to 6 p.m., Monday, October 16, at Yoder-Culp Funeral Home.   A 10 a.m. funeral service will be conducted at the funeral home on Tuesday, October 17, 2006.  Brother Billy Lamb of the Goshen Pentecostal House of Prayer will officiate.   Burial will be in Oakridge Cemetery, Goshen.   Memorial contributions may be given to the Boys and Girls Club of Goshen.