Smith, Art

SMITH, BROWN, CARSON, BUCHANAN

Posted By: Ernie Braida (email)
Date: 11/6/2009 at 11:26:03

Services for Art Smith, 92, were Thursday, Oct. 29, at the Pierschbacher Funeral Home in Melcher-Dallas. Interment was in the Columbia Cemetery. Memorials are requested to Hospice of Central Iowa.

Arthur Vern Smith was born on Jan. 31, 1917, in Lucas County to William Floyd Smith and Oma (Brown) Smith. Arthur began working at the age of 12 years old after his father died leaving his mother to raise him and his brother Jerry and sister Helen. His early strong work ethic was instilled in his own children and grandchildren.

He was united in marriage to Mary Carson Smith on June 23, 1940. Five children were born to this union. Art and Mary purchased a farm in 1941 near Melcher, where they raised their children. Even through difficult years on the farm Art provided well for his family. On the family farm Art milked cows, produced grain crops and later purchased a head of purebred shorthorns. Art was very supportive of his children in school activities and in their many years of 4-H. He made sure that the family had fun vacations and was patient in teaching all his children the love of fishing. Art drove a school bus for Melcher –Dallas schools for seventeen years delivering students to numerous athletic events.

Art had an outgoing personality and greeted people with a warm smile. Art and Mary loved to travel and fish and this tradition continues in his offspring. He and Mary and his mother-in law (Grandma Ruth) made many fishing trips to the families little cabin in Reed Springs, Mo., dreaming of catching that big one.

After his wife Mary passed away Art remarried, Mary Buchanan from the Peoria, Ill., area. Art and Mary shared the joy of traveling many places; Alaska, Texas and Florida but their favorite place was home on the Spoon River in Illinois. Art enjoyed watching geese return each year to his back yard and sharing time with friends at the Bernadotte Café. Mary and Art shared many happy years together but were separated after Mary’s failing health. Due to Art’s own declining health he relocated to Knoxville, Iowa closer to his children.

Many times Art shared with his children that he never dreamed that he would enjoy such a long and happy life and Art has gone to be with loved ones who have gone before him; his first wife Mary Carson, his parents, his siblings, an infant son, a grandson and great grandson and many of his friends.

Art is survived by his wife, Mary Buchanan Smith of Illinois and four children; Margaret and Jerry May, Rosemary and Arthur Worrall, Carolyn Bonanno, and Richard and Julie Smith and three step-children, ten grand children and nineteen great grandchildren. Also surviving are two sisters in laws, Ethel Smith and Ramona Maxine Ireland and a brother in law and wife, Bevan Carson and Ardis Carson. He is survived by several nieces and nephews and many friends in Iowa and Bernadotte, Ill.

Art will be missed but not forgotten and always remembered during sharing of treasured stories of his life. His children and grand children each have their own favorite story to tell their children. Art was proud of his each of his children and they are as equally proud to call him “Dad”.

Knoxville Journal-Express, Oct. 30, 2009