Gerald C. Smith

Gerald C. Smith, Sr.
January 15, 1938 - February 28, 2005
South English, Iowa
Visitation: 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. March 04, 2005 at Powell Funeral Home - Keota
Funeral Service: 1:30 p.m. March 05, 2005 at Powell Funeral Home - Keota
Interment: March 05, 2005 at Keota Cemetery
SOUTH ENGLISH-Gerald C. Smith, Sr., age 66, of rural South English, died of cancer Monday, February 28, 2005, at his home. Gerald was born June 12, 1938, in Iowa City, to Lester and Edna (Clark) Smith. He grew up in Keota and graduated from Keota High School. Gerald then attended the LaSalle Institute in Chicago, Illinois. On December 23, 1972 he married Roberta Bushore at the United Methodist Church in Keota. The couple moved to rural South English in 1978. Gerald was a self-employed welder and attended the Pleasant Grove Grace Brethren Church. He was instrumental in revising and setting the Iowa state precedent keeping orphaned children in the family and enjoyed welding, fabricating, woodworking, farming, working with his hands and spending time with his family. Survivors include his wife: Roberta of rural South English; two sons: Gerald, Jr. and wife Violet of Keota and Robert and fiancee Heather O'Leary of South English; one daughter: Bonnie Lynn Knerr and husband Roger of Wellman; one step son: Kenneth W. Ragsdale of Dangerfield, Texas; one step daughter: Denise Rene Ehrman of Iowa City; eight grandchildren including Joseph Reed of South English; one great granddaughter and one sister: Martha Bandy of Washington. He was preceded in death by his parents, one son: James Barton in infancy; one daughter: Melody Sue Reed; one son-in-law: Stephen John Reed and one grandchild. Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 5, 2005, at the Powell Funeral Home in Keota with Pastor Edwin Jordan officiating. Burial will be at Keota Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Friday, March 4, 2005, at the Powell Funeral Home in Keota. A memorial fund has been established for Hospice of Keokuk County. Powell Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Keota is handling the arrangements.