Charles Donald Smith, 06 Aug 1931 – 12 Oct 2012

SMITH, WHITE, DONOHOE, PAUKERT, GAUTHIER, JANSSEN, LOCKRIDGE, BUSER, CHITWOOD

Posted By: Sandy Ficken (email)
Date: 10/29/2012 at 13:16:13

Charles Smith, 81

Funeral for Charlie Smith Oct. 17

The funeral service for Charles "Charlie" Smith, will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 17 at the Stewartville United Methodist Church with Rev. Wane Souhrada officiating. Mr. Smith, 81, of Stewartville, died, following a courageous two year illness with multiple myeloma, on Friday, Oct. 12, at the Stewartville Care Center surrounded by family and friends.

Charles Donald Smith was born Aug. 6, 1931, in Webster, IA to Charles and Mildred (White) Smith. He grew up on the family farm, attended Webster schools and moved with his family to North English, IA his senior year, graduating from North English High School in 1950. He joined the U.S. Army in 1952 and served overseas during the Korean Conflict where he saw action on the frontlines and was discharged with the rank of Staff Sargeant in 1954.

Charlie was married on Nov. 14, 1954, at the United Methodist Church in North English to Helen M. Donahoe. Following their marriage the couple lived in North English before moving to Seattle, WA, where Charlie was employed as a machinist at Boeing Aircraft. While still living in Washington, he was employed by Northwest Airlines in Seattle for a few years before being transferred to Rochester. The Smiths moved to Stewartville in 1967 where they raised their family and have continued to make their home. Charlie was employed in ground services at Northwest Airlines for 30 years until his retirement. He was a longtime active member of the Stewartville Lions. Charlie was a member of the Stewartville American Legion Post 164, the Rochester V.F.W. and a life member of the Korean War Veterans Club in Rochester. He enjoyed traveling, fishing, boating and time spent with family especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Survivors include his wife, Helen and three daughters, Jill (Greg) Paukert of Mechanicsburg, PA, Jeri (Chuck) Gauthier of Rochester, and Jan (Brad) Janssen of Stewartville; nine grandchildren; six great- grandchildren; three step- grandchildren; one sister, Doris Lockridge of North English, IA, and one brother, Richard Smith of Walford, IA.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters, Dorothy Buser and Betty Chitwood.

Friends may call from 5-7 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 16, at Griffin-Gray Funeral Home in Stewartville, or one hour prior to the service at the church on Wednesday afternoon.

A private family burial will take place at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis on Friday. The family suggests memorials to the Stewartville Care Center or Seasons Hospice in Rochester.
Arrangements are with Griffin-Gray Funeral Home in Stewartville.
www.griffin-gray.com

Stewartville Star, 15 Oct 2012
The English Valleys Star, 24 Oct 2012, pg 4
The Journal Tribune, Iowa County Obituaries – Oct. 25, 2012, pg 15