SMITH, Roger E.

SMITH, MCKINNEY, ELLSWORTH, CREAMER, HUFF, PETTIT, STEPHENS, HUDSON, DAIZELL

Posted By: Roseanna Zehner (email)
Date: 8/16/2004 at 06:14:19

Roger E. Smith, 68, died May 26, 2004, at the Manor of Malvern. Services were held Friday at United Methodist Church in Hastings with Rev. Steve McKinney officiating. Interment was at the Hastings Cemetery.

Mr. Smith was born Sept. 27, 1935, in Hastings to Charles Ellsworth and Jean Evelyn (Creamer) Smith. He attended the Benton Country and Hastings Schools. He was united in marriage on May 28, 1953, to Sharon S. “Anne” Hudson. Their marriage was blessed with six children - Terry Eugene, Roger Delaine, Phillip Scott, Craig Alan, Kelli Janine and Angela Danine.

Mr. Smith enjoyed working with his hands and farmed for 13 years. For a short time, he drove a semi-truck, hauling freight around the country. He later found his niche in the highway construction industry, eventually forming his own company, R.E. Smith and Sons Construction, working jobs in Iowa, Nebraska and Missouri.

While his children were young, Mr. Smith enjoyed spending time with on camping trips and at amusement parks. He also attended many of his childrens’ activities at Nishna Valley School where he served as a basketball referee. He played in a basketball league for players “Over 30.” After retiring from construction in 1990, he returned to farming a small acreage with two cylinder tractors, his favorite being a John Deere 730. He enjoyed raising hogs, many of which he named. August 1994, Mr. Smith suffered a disabling stroke. He remained at home for seven years before moving to the Manor of Malvern. Mr. and Mrs. Smith celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary at the manor last May.

Mr. Smith was preceded in death by his parents, son Philip, an infant granddaughter in 1987 and an infant grandson in 1988. Survivors include wife Anne of Hastings; sons Terry and wife Debra of Malvern, Delaine and wife Julie of Hastings and Craig and wife Mary of Hastings; daughters Kelli Huff of Hastings and Angi Pettit and husband Bill of Council Bluffs; sister Cathy Stephens and husband Dale of Malvern; sister-in-law Jeannie Hudson of Hastings; aunt Velma Dalzell of Bellevue, Neb.; 15 grandchildren; and several other relatives and friends.

Hertz Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.