Max Vernon SMITH

SMITH, SPANGLER, THOMPSON, MIDDLETON, GORDON, NIKLASEN, YEAGER, FISHER

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 1/3/2017 at 17:34:50

July 6, 1926 --- January 1, 2017

Max Smith, 90, of Webster City, died Sunday, January 1, 2017 at Southfield Wellness Community. Memorial services will be held Wednesday, January 4, 2017 at 1:30 p.m. at Asbury United Methodist Church with Pastor Jeff Flagg officiating. Burial will be at a later date. Visitation will be held Tuesday, January 3, 2017 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the church.

Max Vernon Smith was born July 6, 1926 on a farm near Woolstock, IA, the son of George R. and Margie (Spangler) Smith. Following high school graduation in 1943, he attended Upper Iowa University. He enlisted in the Navy during World War II and served in the hospital corps as a pharmacist mate from 1944-1946.

On December 1, 1946, he married Elsie Thompson at the Ellsworth Lutheran Church. They established their home in Webster City. For many years he was in the printing and publishing business. He was managing editor of the Aberdeen Angus Journal and was also associated with the U.S. Postal Service before retiring in 1988. He was a lifelong member of the Methodist Church, past president of Methodist Men and held other offices. He was also a member of the American Legion Post 191, having served as commander and various offices on the district, state and national levels.

He was a member of the Elks Club, the Masonic organization and the Shriners. His patriotic spirit made him a popular speaker at area Memorial Day and Veteran’s Day programs. One of the highlights of his life was traveling with the Honor Flight to Washington D.C.

Knowing his Grandpa Spangler fought in the Civil War, made him an avid reader on the topic. He also enjoyed his downtown, morning coffee group, known as the CML Club. His biggest pleasure in life, however, was time spent with his family.

On December 1st, he and Elsie celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary with a special meal at Southfield Wellness Community, where he had resided for the past year.

He is survived by his wife, Elsie; son, Brent (Kris) Smith of Goldfield; daughter, Marilyn (John) Middleton of Webster City; three grandchildren and four great-grandchildren; Dr. Jennifer (Tim) Gordon, Peyton and Gabrielle of Solon; Tyler (Jessica) Smith, Sophie and Max of Ankeny; Clark (Jen) Middleton of Hefei, China; grandson-in-law, Derek Niklasen of Alleman and a special niece, Frankie Yeager of San Diego, CA. He was preceded in death by granddaughter, Joy (Middleton) Niklasen, his parents; brother, Wilbur Smith; sister, Arline Fisher; three nieces and one nephew.

Daily Freeman Journal -- Webster City, Iowa
January 2, 2017