Delbert Deane SMITH

SMITH, WIX, BATES

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 3/9/2009 at 14:24:49

The Examiner
Independence, Missouri
Saturday, April 5, 2008

OBITUARY - DELBERT DEANE SMITH

Delbert Deane SMITH was born July 28, 1922 at Butler, Mo., and died Wednesday, April 3, 2008 Lamoni, Iowa.

Delbert was the fourth son of Howard Wilbur and Martha Estella (WIX) SMITH. He grew up in Butler, Mo., where he graduated from high school in 1940.

He attended Graceland College, the Montana School of Mines and Iowa State University before beginning a 36-year career as a minister in the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (now the Community of Christ).

While at Iowa State, he met his wife, Mildred. They were married September 18, 1949 in Guilford, Mo. Over the years, five children were born to the couple. The family spent time working for the church in Minnesota, Hawaii, Texas, Missouri and Iowa. The couple then retired in Lamoni.

He had an experience as a young Seventy where he saw Jesus and was called upon to lift up people in sin for the Master's transforming touch. This guided him in a lifelong effort to help others know the Christ.

He is survived by his four sons, H. Alan and wife Valle of Mount Ayr; Ronald and wife Di of Lamoni; Steven and wife Elaina of Lamoni,; and Douglas and wife Judith of Higginsville, Mo.; one daughter, Karen and husband David BATES of Independence, Mo.; two brothers, one sister-in-law, 18 grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, and other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mildred; his parents, three brothers and a sister-in-law.

Funeral services were held Saturday, April 5, at 10:30 a.m. at the Memorial Student Center at Graceland University in Lamoni. Burial was in Rose Hill Cemetery in Lamoni. A memorial has been established in his name.

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, February of 2009