To friends and family of Earl Smith, this is the way we'd like to remember him -- as someone who took care of his body and was always working toward a perfect physique. Well, in the past five or six years, he gained a lot of weight and his health declined. He'd tell himself, "I need to get back to the gym and get back in shape!"
Earl had gotten so bad that he had trouble breathing.
A few weeks ago he finally went to the doctor and began a regimen to combat diabetes and other issues.
But despite this final attempt, he fell ill on Friday, May 13. He was taken to Mercy Hospital in Council Bluffs. Shortly after admittance, he stopped breathing and was put into a medically induced coma.
He never fully regained consciousness from it. His heart stopped early afternoon Sunday, May 22. The hospital staff diligently worked on him for a full hour, but to no avail.

Earl Smith passed away at 2:47 p.m.
He leaves behind a host of those who love him, but also a mountain of medical bills.
Earl didn't have insurance and there is no money to provide funeral services.
Please give what you can in remembrance of this man who touched so many lives with his humor, generosity and friendship.