Francis Smith

Francis L. Smith, 96 of Mt. Pleasant, IA, died Monday, October 09, 2006, at the Klein Center in Burlington. Open visitation will be held from 2:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Wednesday at the Olson-Powell Memorial Chapel. There will not be a family visitation time. Funeral services will be held Thursday at 1:00 p.m. at the Calvary Baptist Church with Pastor Jeff "Duke" Crawford officiating. Burial will be in the Forest Home Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorials have been established to Midwest Old Threshers. Born May 10, 1910, west of Trenton, IA, in the Merrimac community, he was the son of Harlan and Clara Egli Smith. On January 14, 1932, he married Geraldine L. Ross at the home of the Rev. Arthur L. Shuey in Mt. Pleasant. She preceded him in death on February 28, 2006. Mr. Smith originally worked at the Iowa Ordnance Plant until 1941. He then began a long career as a contractor, forming the Francis L. Smith Construction company. Francis built numerous buildings in the area, as well as many houses. Mr. Smith also farmed and raised registered Angus cattle. He successfully continued with his contracting business for over 30 years. He retired in 1979 from construction, but continued farming as long as his health allowed. Francis was a member of the Calvary Baptist Church of Mt. Pleasant and The Gideons International. He was an active member of Farm Bureau and various cattlemans' organizations. He was also an avid supporter of the Republican Party. He is survived by three granddaughters, Christa and her husband Reed Martin of Marion, IA, Terri and her husband G. Walker of Washington, IA, and Robin Smith of Mt. Pleasant, IA; and seven great-grandchildren. Also surviving is one sister, Mildred Kirk of Winfield, IA; a daughter-in-law, Ruthie Smith of West Plains, MO; a brother-in-law Russell Ross and his wife Rosie of Mt. Pleasant, IA and a sister-in-law Bessie Smith of Mt. Pleasant, IA. Mr. Smith was preceded in death by his wife Geraldine, a son Robert L. Smith, four brothers, Glen Smith, Gerald Smith, Dwight Smith and Melvin Smith; and by two sisters, Oleta Rich and Alice Rich.