SMIT, Will 1885-1972

SMIT, KNOCK

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 7/13/2014 at 19:20:14

Funeral Friday At Colfax Church For Grundy Center Man

Funeral services for Will Smit, 86, of Grundy Center, were held at 1:30 p.m. Friday at the Colfax Center Presbyterian Church with Rev. David Dupee officiating, assisted by Rev. E. H. Buschman.

Burial was in the church cemetery.

Special music for the service was provided by organist Mrs. Raymond Hinders and soloist Mrs. James Willms. Mr. and Mrs. John Paterni and Mr. and Mrs. Tucker Teasdale were in charge of flowers. Mr. Paterni and Harm G. Hook were ushers.

Casketbearers were John Niehaus, Kenneth Harken, Wilbur Smit, Henry Itzen, Raymond Hinders and Troy Anderson.

Will Smit, son of Mr. and Mrs. H. P. Smit, was born in Shiloh township, Grundy county, Iowa, Jan. 22, 1885, and entered into eternal rest Jan. 17, 1972, at the Grundy County Memorial Hospital after an extended illness. He attained the age of 86 years, 11 months and 25 days.

He attended school in Colfax township and later attended the University of Dubuque. He spent the greater part of his life in Colfax township.

He was married to Gretta Knock September 13, 1910, in Colfax township, at the home of the bride's parents, Mr. and Mrs. H. E. Knock. They farmed for several years on a farm southwest of Holland. In 1922 they moved to Holland, where he owned a hardware store. In 1925 they moved to a farm northeast of Holland. In 1945 they retired and moved to Grundy Center.

He was a faithful member of the Colfax Center Presbyterian church and he served as the Congregational Clerk for 19 years, Treasurer of the Minister's Fund for 9 years. He also served as a deacon for 7 years, and as an Elder for 6 years. He was also Colfax Township Trustee for 12 years. His wife died November 28, 1969.

He is survived by two daughters: Lois, Mrs. Jerry Peters of Grundy Center, and Marie, Mrs. Henry Akkerman of rural Wellsburg. Also two grandchildren: Larry Akkerman, and Joyce, Mrs. Wayne Blythe. Also one great-grandson, Dustin Blythe, and one sister and one brother, Mrs. Lena Engelkes and George A. Smit, both of Grundy Center.

Also one step-granddaughter, Mrs. Troy Anderson, and one step-great-granddaughter, Pat Anderson.

Besides his parents and wife he was also preceded in death by one grandson, Dennis Ray Akkerman; one sister, Mrs. Will Itzen; and one brother, Henry, and three infant brothers and sisters.

The Engelkes-Abels Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

--The Grundy Register (Grundy Center, Iowa), 27 January 1972, pg 3