SMILEY, Thomas Robinson: Died 1966

SMILEY, SMITH, MCMECHAN

Posted By: Volunteer: Sherri
Date: 7/25/2019 at 19:13:20

**Handwritten: 1966

Thomas R. Smiley

Thomas Robinson Smiley, 87, a longtime Yakima, Washington fuel dealer, died Friday, Feb. 18 in the Fountains Nursing Home after a short illness.

Born in Uniontown, Pa., Mr. Smiley married V. Nevada Smith in 1904 near Libertyville, Iowa. The couple went to Yakima in 1909, where he worked on the construction of the Northern Pacific Railway depot. He drove a team for the Yakima Coal Co. for six years, then was with Foseen's for 18 years.

During that time, he bought and developed a 60-acre fruit ranch in the Naches Heights area but maintained his home in Yakima. He sold the ranch in 1920 and in 1922 built his home at 106 N. 26th Ave.

In 1933 he purchased the Economy Fuel Co. and operated it until selling to the present owner, Nels P. Haddix, in 1957. He was a member of the First Methodist Church, a past president of the Fuel Dealers of Yakima, and was a member of the Yakima Knights of Pythias for 66 years.

He is survived by his wife; two brothers, Edgar of Yakima and Arthur of Uniontown, Pa.; and a sister, Mrs. Annie McMechan of El Paso, Texas.

Funeral services were held Monday, Feb. 21 at 2:30 p.m. in the Garden Chapel of the Lange-vin-Mussetter Funeral Home. Rev. Ac C. Wischmeier, pastor of the First Methodist church, officiated. Burial was in Terrace Heights Memorial Park. Yakima Lodge No. 53 Knights of Pythias formed an honor guard.

Source: "Slutts Book", Pg. 236, Keosauqua Public Library, Keosauqua, IA