The name Melvin D. Smotherman of Deerfield, Michigan, was added to the long list of veterans who paid the price of asbestos exposure. On March 4, Melvin, aged 77, died of mesothelioma only three months after being diagnosed with the killer. In January, he complained of difficulty in breathing and this turned out to be the indication of the presence of malignancy.

Smotherman served as a welder in the Air Force during the Korean War. He repaired aircraft at Chanute Air Force Base in Illinois and in Newfoundland. Subsequently, he also worked in a similar capacity at various nuclear power plants, a shipyard in Toledo and several local foundries; in fact, he continued on various assignments from the Toledo Area Sheet Metal Workers Union Local 33 till he retired 1988.

As a welder, Smotherman was exposed to asbestos for many years as were so many other welders along with him. The professional hazard that he was oblivious to finally showed signs after the long latency inherent to the disease and another life was claimed by the disease on March 4.

The funeral was held at Reeb Funeral Home on March 9. The family of Melvin requests that tributes be made in his name to the Special Olympics Ohio chapter in Hilliard.