SMELSER, Thomas Melvin

SMELSER, CUBBAGE, WEAVERS, ANDREWS, DURKEE, BRANDT, TACKETT

Posted By: Roseanna Zehner (email)
Date: 1/24/2006 at 12:56:20

Opinion Tribune
August 8, 1963

Rev. T.M. Smelser

Thomas Melvin Smelser was born Feb. 3, 1872, in Knox county, Knoxville, Ill., the son of Thomas and Mary Ann Cubbage Smelser. He and his family moved to Union county, Iowa, in 1875.

He was converted Sept. 25, 1891, sanctified Sept. 25, 1891, and baptized Sept. 27, 1891, by Elder George Weavers at Athelstan, Iowa, in the Grand river. He united with the Holiness church at that meeting in Athelstan. He was a member until Dec. 14, 1940, when the Church of Christ Holiness united with the Pilgrim Holiness church and at that time he joined with the rest of the church. He was licensed to preach on Aug 31, 1930, and ordained July 24, 1932, at Pacific Junction by the Church of Christ.

He was united in marriage to Rebecca Jessie Andrews, April 23, 1901, and to this union four children were born. Preceding him in death were two daughters, Ruth and Helen, and his wife, Jessie, who died Dec. 19, 1957.

Rev. Smelser died July 28, 1963, at the Nishna Cottage rest home in Malvern where he had been a resident since July 15. He had attained the age of 91 years, five months and 25 days.

Survivors include: two children, Florence, Mrs. George Durkee of Pacific Junction, and Charles of Council Bluffs; seven grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren, and one brother, John A. Smelser of Gillette, Wyo.

Services were held July 31 at 2 p.m. from the Raynor-Hamilton Funeral Chapel in Glenwood with the Rev. John Brandt and the Rev. G.F. Tackett officiating.