Edward Smith

Edward M. Ed Smith, 87, of Salem, IA, died Wednesday, November 8, 2017, at University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics.



Visitation will begin after 12 noon on Friday, November 10, 2017, at Olson~Powell Memorial Chapel, with the family greeting friends from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. that evening. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m., on Saturday, November 11, 2017, at Olson~Powell Memorial Chapel with Pastor Steve Litchfield officiating. Burial will be in Salem East Cemetery. Gifts of love and friendship may be given to Salem Fire and Rescue. On-line condolences may be directed to www.olsonpowell.com.




Born April 23, 1930, in Winfield, IA, Edward Merlin was the son of George D. and Murlie Marie Vollmer Smith. He attended country school in rural Mt. Pleasant and was a 1949 graduate of Mt. Pleasant High School. Following high school, Ed joined the United States National Guard. On December 20, 1952, Ed married Velna Jean Yaley in Mt. Pleasant.



A lifelong farmer, Ed worked as a security guard at The Iowa Army Ammunition Plant and then Goodyear Industrial Hose for many years, retiring in 1992. He was a member of Mt. Pleasant Masonic Lodge A.F. A.M., a member of The Century Car Club, and served as a Jackson Township Trustee.



Ed loved working with the cattle on the farm, fishing, and in later years mowing the yard. He was an excellent marksman and enjoyed taking his Massey Harris tractor to Midwest Old Threshers and 1968 Buick Le Sabre to car shows. He collected Indian artifacts and German painted bowls.



Along with his loving wife, Velna of 64 years, Ed is survived by three sons, Terry (Barb) Smith, Kevin (Sandra) Smith, and David (Janet) Smith, all of Mt. Pleasant, IA; a brother, William (Shirley) Smith of Mt. Pleasant, IA; three sisters, Murlene Liechty of Molalla, OR, Marjorie (Dale) Schillerstrom of Lockridge, IA, Miriam (Tom) Pacha of Brighton, IA; and a sister-in-law, Jackie Taylor of Marion, IA. He is also survived by eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.



Ed was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Dale Bud Smith.