Smith, Ronald Everett 1917 - 1981

SMITH, GROSS, THORNTON, TOPPING, LYTLE

Posted By: Cindy Maust Smith (email)
Date: 9/22/2020 at 13:18:08

The Sanborn Pioneer, October 22, 1981, Sanborn, Iowa, Page 7

Ronald Everett Smith, son of Walter W. and Mildred (Gross) Smith, was born March 26, 1917 at Sanborn, Iowa. He graduated from Sanborn High School and Coe College at Cedar Rapids where he received his degree in Secondary Education.

On April 26, 1941 he was married to Mildred Thornton at St. John's Lutheran Church in Des Moines. After teaching in Adair for one year he served his country during W.W.II in the U.S. Air Force. He taught school at Dexter for a short time and then moved to Garner in 1946 where he was Industrial Arts instructor and coach. In 1950, Ron and Millie purchased the Viken Hardware Store which they have continued to operate for over 30 years as Smith's Hardware, Heating & Plumbing.

He was a member of the United Methodist Church, the Garner American Legion, Bethel Lodge Masonic Order, El Kahir Shrine and Garner Chamber of Commerce. He had also served as a volunteer fireman for 25 years.

He passed away suddenly at his home in Garner Thursday, October 8 at the age of 64.

He is survived by his wife, Mildred; his children, Mrs. Duane (Cheryll) Topping of Clear Lake, Alan W. Smith of Lake Mills and Lynn Smith and wife Rhonda of Garner, two grandchildren, his mother, Mrs. Mildred Smith of Sanborn, a brother, Wilbur Smith and wife Ruby, of Sanborn, and a sister, Mrs. Mernice Lytle of Kelso, Wash.

He was preceded in death by his father and two grandchildren.

Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m. Monday Oct 12 at the United Methodist Church in Garner with Rev. Henry T. Hackman officiating, assisted at graveside by the Garner Veterans' Ceremonial Unit.

Mrs. Chet Stille, organist, accompanied a men's quartet composed of Clarke Pollock, Dr. Lowell Johnson, Claire Tompkins and James Gatchel. The Garner Fire Department served as honorary casketbearers. Casketbearers were Dr. W.J. Mack, Alvin Schroeder, John Eness, John Zimbelman, C.D. Elling, Emory Weaver, Melvin Jones and Curtis Riehm.

Burial was in Concord Cemetery in Garner.